Things are looking up for the Ventura College men's water polo team. The Pirates came home with a split of four games at the Joe Martinez Memorial Tournament over the weekend at Ohlone College in Fremont. VC defeated De Anza and Las Positas on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to equal their win total from a year ago on the opening weekend this season. Ryan Reardon netted 16 goals for the Pirates (2-2) and Austin Brunk had nine scores.
Ventura 23, De Anza 14
The Pirates used a strong first half to defeat the Dons 23-14 in the season opener. Ventura held a 5-2 lead after one quarter and were ahead 12-5 at halftime. Gabriel Ibarra netted five goals and Reardon scored four times in the game while Brunk and Trevor Campbell each recorded three scores. Jake Peters scored twice in the victory. Brandyn Robles handed out three assists. Defensively Brunk had three steals and Ibarra recorded three field blocks. Daniel Mclean had five saves, two blocks and two steals in goal.
Ventura 12, Ohlone 18
VC was close at the midway point, trailing the Renegades 9-8 before Ohlone pulled away in the third period. Brunk had four goals, one assist, one steal and two drawn exclusions in the contest to lead the way. Reardon scored three times with four steals and an assist while Ibarra and Zach Ziegler each found the cage twice. Robles and Campbell each had two assists.
Ventura 25, Las Positas 7
Ventura posted its highest point output in at least a decade on Saturday with a 25-7 pounding of Las Positas. Reardon led the balanced attack with six goals while Robles and Ziegler scored five and four goals, respectively. Peters and Julian Larios each recorded a pair of scores. Campbell was the offensive conduit with seven assists and Brunk had a pair of helpers. Ibarra led the defense with four steals while Dru Coronado and Reardon each had three thefts. Mclean had four saves in the victory.
Ventura 10, Diablo Valley 18
The Pirates closed the weekend with an 18-10 loss to the Vikings, who used a 6-0 second quarter to pull away. Reardon had four more scores in the game and Peters found the back of the net twice. Mclean had five saves, three blocks and two steals in the cage.
Ventura opens its home schedule on Saturday Sept. 21 against Crafton Hills at 11:30 am at the Ventura Aquatic Center. They will then host a VC Alumni team at 2:30 pm that afternoon.