The Ventura College men's water polo team opened the season with a big win, then fell late in the nightcap at the Los Angeles Trade Tech Mini on Saturday morning. VC (1-1) defeated the host Beavers 15-6 before giving up the final five goals to fall 14-12 to San Diego Mesa in the second game. CJ Daland scored nine goals in the two matches with four steals and three drawn ejections and Luis Galvez recorded 13 saves on the day in the cage.
Ventura 15, LA Trade Tech 6
The Pirates scored the first seven goals of the game, including the first three by Daland, racing to a 7-1 advantage after one quarter of play. VC was ahead 10-1 at halftime before posting the 15-6 final margin. Daland finished the day with seven goals, two steals, one assist and one drawn ejection. Coby Wiegman scored three times with a steal and Clint Howard netted a pair of goals with one theft. Andrew Escobar turned back four shots in goal and Galvez recorded three saves.
Ventura 12, San Diego Mesa 14
The Pirates fell behind 6-1 early in the second quarter and trailed 7-4 at halftime. VC used a strong third quarter to take an 11-9 lead at the end of three, and extended it to 12-9 early in the final period before giving up the final five scores of the game in the loss. Howard led with four goals, three steals, two drawn ejections and an assist and Daland recorded a pair of scores, two steals and two drawn ejections. Kyle Goodrich had two goals with one steal, one assist and a drawn ejection. Wiegman and Kevin Smallwood also scored goals and Galvez recorded 10 saves in the net.
The Pirates return to action Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9 and 10 at the Citrus Tournament. Their two games Friday will be at Mt. San Antonio College against Rio Hondo and San Diego Miramar before playing at Citrus Saturday against Fullerton and Chaffey. VC's home opener is Saturday Sept. 24 against the VC Alumni at 9:30 am at the Ventura Aquatic Center.