The game seemed to be over almost as soon as it started. The Pirates' women's water polo team was tied 1-1 with visiting Los Angeles Valley two minutes into play before reeling off 10 straight goals over the next 10 minutes of game time to settle the outcome of their Western State Conference opener Wednesday at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Katie Falls led the defensive effort with 18 saves in the cage while Megan Findlay and Anna Lowe scored six and five goals, respectively, to lead the offense.
Findlay scored the Pirates' first goal of the game from an assist by Sierra Cameron, but he Monarchs were able to answer on the next possession for a 1-1 tie. It was all VC from that point with Lowe, Findlay, Fiona Watkins netting scores on the next three possessions. Follow that up with goals again by Lowe and Findlay, and Lauren Mora's successful 5m shot with 20 seconds remaining in the opening period and Ventura led 7-1 at the quarter break.
WWPolo ��♀️: end 1q. Lauren Mora with the 5m shot with 20s remaining in the 1st. @VenturaPirate leads @LAVCAthletics 7-1 after 1q. @ventura_college @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/jGYxWF76w4
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2021
The Pirates scored the first three goals of the second period to go ahead 10-1 before LAVC was able to get another shot into the back of the net. Lowe converted a 5m with 2:02 remaining and Lauren Pierce scored in the final minute and VC took a 12-3 advantage into halftime.
WWPolo ��♀️: 2:02 2Q. Lowe with a successful 5m. @VenturaPirate leads @LAVCAthletics 11-3. @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/7QqplBQTQR
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2021
The second half lacked the drama of the potential outcome, but both teams continued to fight. Lowe scored twice in the third period and Ventura led 14-5 at the quarter break.
Watkins netted a score to begin the final stanza and Analee Magaña scored on a breakaway with 5:07 left in the game. Emmie Johnston finished the scoring for the Pirates in the 18-6 victory.
WWPolo ��♀️: 7:29 4Q. Fiona Watkins with the goal to start the 4th. 15-5 @VenturaPirate women lead. @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/kbBjqXNwga
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2021
WWPolo ��♀️: 4:57 4Q. Analee Magana scores in the break with an assist from Kiran Shah. @VenturaPirate leads @LAVCAthletics 17-5. @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/9WbvgpVHCS
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2021
Kiran Shah had four assists on the day while Lowe handed out three helpers. Mora scored twice with a pair of assists and Cameron also had two assists. Watkins was key on the defensive end of the pool with eight steals.
Ventura (5-1, 1-0) will now take a break to recharge after the season-opening rush, returning to host Santa Barbara on Wednesday Sept. 29 at the Ventura Aquatic Center.