The VC men's water polo team continued the battle Saturday in Costa Mesa, dropping a pair of games at the Orange Coast Mini. VC (2-15, 0-3) lost to Grossmont 16-11 in the opener before coming up short in the battle of Pirates against Orange Coast, 20-5. Tanner Islander had four goals and three steals on the day while Austin Brunk scored twice with tow assists, four steals, three drawn exclusions and two shot blocks.
Ventura 11, Grossmont 16
VC held a 3-1 lead three minutes into the game on a goal by Frank Lopez, and the Pirates were ahead 5-4 at the 5:15 mark of the second quarter on another Lopez score, but could not maintain the momentum. Ventura trailed 8-7 at halftime, and could no closer as the Griffins scored five unanswered goals to start the second half. Brunk led the charge with two goals, three drawn exclusions, two steals, one assist and a shot block while Islander had two scores and a steal. Lopez ended the game with a pair of goals, one assist and one steal and Jake Peters also scored twice in the game. Trevor Campbell found the cage once with an assist and two steals. Brandon Bence and Zander Galvin also each scored once. Evan Hanely turned back 12 Grossmont shots in goal.
Ventura 5, Orange Coast 20
VC dropped the battle of the Pirates to the hosts from Orange Coast College. Islander scored twice with two steals. Bence, Campbell and Galvin all recorded one goal, and Galvin also registered two shot blocks and two drawn exclusions. Brunk had an assist and two steals while Peters grabbed two thefts.
Ventura will host its final home game of the season on Wednesday Oct. 24 against Los Angeles Valley. The game will begin at 2:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.