The Ventura College men's water polo held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter, but could not hold on in their 11-8 loss at Santa Monica on Wednesday afternoon in Western State Conference play. Tanner Islander netter three goals with an assist to lead the Pirates (2-13, 0-3) and Zander Galvin had two scores in the game. Evan Hanely recorded 14 saves in the cage to keep the game within reach for VC.
Goals by Islander and Galvin pushed VC to a 2-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Corsairs turned things around, however, with three unanswered goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead at halftime.
SMC continued their strong play with four more goals before Jake Peters scored with 2:29 remaining in the third period, leaving the Pirates facing an 8-3 deficit. Islander scored two more goals to pull Ventura within 9-5 at the quarter break.
Galvin netted another score midway through the fourth quarter, while Austin Brunk and Brandon Bence each netted scores to set the final 11-8 margin.
Trevor Campbell handed out two assists in the game and Peters added a pair of steals to his goal.
The Pirates will travel to the Orange Coast Mini Tournament on Saturday Oct. 20 before closing out their home schedule on Wednesday Oct. 26 against LA Valley.