The VC men's water polo team had a difficult afternoon Wednesday against Los Angeles Valley College at the Ventura Aquatic Center. The Pirates trailed the Western State Conference leading Monarchs 4-2 at the end of one quarter, but LAVC pumped in nine goals in the second quarter to put the game away. Tanner Islander scored twice and Austin Brunk and Brandon Bence each netted a score in the game for VC (2-16, 0-4).
Islander's goal with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter with an assist by Trevor Campbell tied the score at 1-1, and Brunk found the inside of the cage at the 2:28 mark of the opening period to pull VC to within 3-2.
Brunk and Dru Coronado each had assists late in the game while Parker Harris, Islander and Coronado all recorded steals.
Ventura moves into the Western State Conference Tournament beginning on Wednesday Oct. 31. The No. 5-seeded Pirates will travel to No. 4 Santa Monica in a play-in game against the Corsairs. The game is slated to begin at 3:30 pm.