The Pirates' men's water polo team had a difficult day Friday to open the Golden West Tournament in Huntington Beach. VC dropped their opener to Saddleback 21-6 before falling to Orange Coast 25-4 in the nightcap. Owen Cugnoni scored eight goals on the day for Ventura (2-3) while Scott Wagner and Thomas Vels each netted a score.
Ventura 6, Saddleback 21
The Bobcats opened up a big lead in the first quarter and Ventura was not able to fight back. Cognoni scored four goals with a pair of drawn ejections to lead VC while Wagner scored once with three drawn ejections. Vels netted a score with four steals defensively.
Ventura 4, Orange Coast 25
VC kept the game close after one period, trailing 5-2 at the quarter break, before OCC pulled away in the second. Cognoni found the inside of the cage for all four of Ventura's goals. Michael Soho had an assist and one drawn ejection. Stephen McNaughten recorded five saves in goal.
Ventura continues play in Huntington Beach Saturday, playing host Golden West before taking on American River from Sacramento.