The Ventura College men's water polo team opened the 2017 season Saturday, splitting a pair of matches against NCAA Division III schools at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. The Pirates (1-1) opened with a 15-10 victory over Cal Tech before dropping the nightcap to University of La Verne 16-7. Glenn Ishida scored six goals on the day with three steals.
Ventura 15, Cal Tech 10
The Pirates opened the season with a 15-10 victory over Cal Tech. VC took an 8-4 lead into halftime over the Beavers behind two second-quarter goals by Nico Chamberlin. Cal Tech made a run early in the third period before scores from Cole Morter and Ishida turned the tide back to the favor of the Pirates.
Justin Bouse led Ventura with three goals while Ishida had a pair of scores with an assist and a block. Jack Burleigh also scored twice with an assist and a block and Chamberlin ended with two goals and two steals. Kyle Goodrich also recorded two goals for the Pirates. Derek Gamberutti recorded seven saves in goal on the day while Dalton Esrofani had five saves.
Ventura 7, LaVerne 16
VC dropped the second match of the day against four-year competition 16-7 against La Verne. The Pirates fell behind early in the first quarter 3-0 and were trailing 7-2 before Ishida netted three scores in the final 3:32 of the second quarter to narrow the gap to 7-5 at halftime. The Leopards reasserted control early in the third period with four goals to put the match away.
Ishida totaled four goals while Tanner Islander, Ryan Reardon and Morter all scored one goal each. Ishida also grabbed four steals and Brandon Bouse had two thefts. Estrofani had eight saves in the cage and Gamberutti turned back five shots.
Ventura travels to the Citrus Tournament on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9, playing two games at Citrus College in Glendora Friday and a pair of games Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.