Pirates Win Two to Open Ventura Tournament

Sara McGuire (right) scored four goals with two steals in the Pirates' two victories Friday at the Ventura Tournament.
Sara McGuire (right) scored four goals with two steals in the Pirates' two victories Friday at the Ventura Tournament.

The VC women's water polo team came from behind twice Friday to produce a pair of victories on the first day of the Ventura Tournament. The Pirates trailed El Camnio 3-2 at halftime before posting the 7-6 win, and they were behind Cypress 6-3 at intermission before shutting out the Chargers in the second half to post the 8-6 win. Sabrina Cherfane led with five goals in the two games while Kayla Wallace had three goals, three assists, four drawn exclusions and seven steals for Ventura (7-10).

Ventura 7, El Camino 6
In Ventura's first match of the day, they trailed 2-1 at the end of one quarter, and 3-2 at halftime against the Warriors.  VC erupted for five scores in the third period, including the first two by Cherfane to take the lead. The Pirates hung on through a scoreless fourth quarter for the win.

Sara McGuire had three scores with a steal and Wallace had a goal, two assists, three drawn exclusions and four thefts. Cherfane scored twice with two steals while Katie Heath scored VC's other goal. Haley Hall had 10 saves in the cage to preserve the victory.

Ventura 8, Cypress 6
After a pair of losses to the Chargers earlier in the season, Ventura finally got over the hump for the win. The Pirates gave up four goals in the second quarter to trail 6-3 at intermission, but rallied for three scores in the third and another two in the fourth for the two-goal victory.

Cherfane had three goals to lead the offense and Wallace had a pair of scores with an assist and three steals.  Wallace's steal and goal deep in the Cypress end early in the third quarter helped turn momentum in favor of the Pirates. McGuire scored one goal with a steal and a drawn exclusion while Kelsey Golden and Katia Flores also netted scores. hall recorded seven saves in the cage.

VC will conclude play in the tournament on Saturday Oct. 7 in play at the Ventura Aquatic Center.  They host Palomar at 8:00 am in the first match-up of the day before taking on San Diego Miramar at 12:20 pm.