The VC men's water polo team split a pair of games Friday at the Santa Monica Mini Tournament. Ventura (9-11, 2-2) dropped a 16-13 decision to El Camino in the opener before routing San Diego Miramar 23-11 in the second game of the day. Ryan Reardon scored 10 goals on the day with five assists while Brandon Berce and Austin Brunk each found the cage seven times. Daniel Mclean had 12 saves and five blocks in goal in the two games for the Pirates.
Ventura 13, El Camino 16
After falling behind 2-0 early, Brunk and Reardon scored goals to tie the game at 2-2 in the first quarter. The Warriors took control from that point, however, holding a 4-2 edge at the quarter break and an 8-5 lead at halftime. Brunk had five goals. three steals and an assist to lead the way and Reardon netted four scores with a pair of thefts. Gabriel Ibarra had a goals with two assists and Carlos Lugo handed out three helpers. Jake Peters also handed out a pair of assists. Berce, Zach Ziegler and Brandyn Robles also recorded goals in the game. Mclean had five saves and two blocks in the cage for VC.
Ventura 23, San Diego Miramar 11
The Pirates led 8-5 at the end of an exciting first quarter before pulling away for a 14-7 halftime lead. The rout continued in the second half as Ventura outscored the Jets 9-4 over the final two periods. Reardon had six goals, four assists and two steals and Berce also scored six times. Ziegler scored three goals with a pair of assists and three thefts while Brunk had two goals with two assists and three steals. Lugo also had two goals with three helpers. Peters, Robles, Jimmy Virto and Julian Larios also registered goals in the victory. Mclean had seven saves and three blocks in goal.
Ventura hosts the UC Santa Barbara Club Team on Wednesday Oct. 30 in its 2019 home finale at the Ventura Aquatic Center. The game begins at 2:00 pm.