Traveling to Rancho Cucamonga to play in the Chaffey College mini-tournament, VC men's water polo split a pair of games. In the early contest, the Pirates (9-9, 1-1) knocked of Cal Tech with a 12-10 victory. With just 10 minutes between games Ventura was unable to overcome host Chaffey's offensive attack dropping the game 16-12. Daniel Amorim netted seven goals with four assists and seven steals on the day.
Ventura 12, Cal Tech 10
The Pirates used a balanced offensive attack led by Amorim and Trevor Edwards, who each scored multiple goals in the game to take down Cal Tech. Ventura's defense showed up well picking up 13 steals in the game to hold back the Beaver attack. VC held a 7-4 led after one half and were able to maintain the led in the second half, despite being on the short end of a 20-5 exclusion count in the match. J'son Ruiz's 10 saves helped the Pirates hold on for the two goal victory.
Ventura 12, Chaffey 16
With a short turn around between games, the Pirates returned to the pool just 10 minutes after completing their first game. The offense did not slow down, netting 12 scores as a team with Rogelio Coronado, Nathan Sardoni, Keaton Hess and Amorim all scoring multiple goals. Amorim picked up two assists while Edwards also had an assist.
Defensively, VC was able to force 10 steals in the game, led again by Amorim with five. Meanwhile Sardoni and Edwards each drew two ejections against the Panthers. Ruiz picked up two saves in goal while splitting time with Luis Galvez, who recorded five saves.
Ventura had several chances throughout the game to overtake Chaffey, but was unable to convert scoring opportunities into goals.
VC will return to the pool on Friday Oct. 16 and Saturday Oct. 17 in San Luis Obispo for the Cuesta College Tournament. The Pirates return to Western State Conference play on Thursday Oct. 22 hosting Cuesta at 2:15pm.