The VC men's water polo team scored four unanswered goals in the third quarter to turn a deficit into an advantage in their season-opening 15-12 win over Diablo Valley at the Merced North vs. South Tournament on Friday. Sebastian Cornejo netted five goals, including four in the decisive second half, and Scott Wagner also scored five times, with four coming after intermission.
Owen Cugnoni scored twice in the first quarter as VC led the Vikings 4-3 at the end of the period.
DVC came back to tie the game at 6-6 at halftime, and took an 8-6 lead two minutes into the third quarter setting up the Pirate comeback.
Wagner sandwiched pair of goals around a score by Cornejo before Cugnoni's score made it 10-8 for Ventura with 3:17 remaining in the third period. Ventura led 11-10 at the quarter break before exte3nding the margin to 15-12 in the final stanza.
Ventura will complete play in the tournament Saturday Aug. 23 facing Merced College and UC Merced at 12:30 and 3:00 pm, respectively.