Playing at home for the first time this season, the Ventura College men's water polo team pushed highly-ranked Long Beach City College before falling to the Vikings 17-10. VC (5-6) led at the end of the first quarter, and trailed by one at halftime before a third quarter collapse established the result. Ryan Reardon had four goals to lead VC while Glenn Ishida scored three times.
The match was physical from the onset, and the teams battled from the very beginning. The Pirates led 3-2 at the end of the first quarter before Long Beach began to find its groove in the second. The Vikings outscored Ventura 4-2 in the second period to take a 6-5 lead into intermission.
The Pirate defense collapsed in the third quarter, allowing seven LBCC goals, and the final outcome was established. The teams played even in the final period, but the damage had been done for Ventura.
Ishida recorded four drawn exclusions in the game and Dalton Esrofani had 12 saves in goal.
Ventura will host the VC Alumni on Saturday Sept. 23. The match will begin at 9:30am at the Ventura Aquatic Center and will be followed by the VC women's alumnae game at 11:00 am.