The VC men's water polo team split the second day of the Cuesta tournament in San Luis Obispo Saturday, defeating Merced 15-10 before dropping the finale to Orange Coast 16-8. Tanner Islander netted 11 goals on the day with three drawn exclusions and Ryan Reardon had seven scores with seven assists, six exclusions and a pair of steals.
Ventura 15, Merced 10
The Pirates (9-13, 1-2) claimed a close opening period with a 6-4 advantage, and scored the first three goals of the second to post a 9-6 halftime advantage. VC led 11-7 after three quarters of play before recording the five-goal victory over the Blue Devils.
Islander scored early and often, netting four goals in the first half, six for the game. He also had an assist and three drawn exclusions. Reardon netted four scores with four assists while Cole Morter had two goals, three helpers, one exclusion and one steal. Brandon Bouse, Justin Bouse and Roger Escalante all scored single goals in the Ventura win.
Ventura 8, Orange Coast 16
The Pirates of the South took it to the Pirates of the North early, as VC trailed 4-0 early in the second period. Ventura trailed 6-3 at halftime and never got any closer in the second half.
Reardon continued his strong play with three goals, three assists, five drawn exclusions and a pair of steals. Islander found the back of the net three times and Brandon Bouse also scored a goal. Jarett Baldwin also recorded a score for the Pirates of the North.
Ventura concludes regular season Western State Conference action Wednesday Oct. 18 at LA Valley before traveling to Orange Coast for a rematch with the Pirates of the South and a match with Grossmont on Saturday Oct. 21.