The VC women's water polo team scored four goals in the first two-plus minutes of the opening period en route to an 18-4 runaway victory over host Santa Monica on Wednesday in Western State Conference play. Natalia Rodriguez and Lauren Pierce each netted three goals to pace VC (13-3, 2-1) and Fiona Watkins scored twice with four assists and four steals. Sierra Cameron had three assists and a pair of thefts in the Pirate win.
Lauren Mora scored on VC's opening possession of the game followed by back-to-back scores by Watkins and a goal by Kiran Shah as Ventura took the 4-0 advantage with 5:58 left in the first quarter. After the Corsairs scored in a one-up possession, The Pirates received goals by Emmie Johnston, Rodriguez and Stephany Dijar to lead 7-1 at the quarter break.
Ventura did not look back from that point, posting a 10-1 halftime margin and a 14-2 lead headed into the final stanza.
Mora scored twice with a pair of assists while Isabel Tenison handed out a pair of helpers with three steals. Shah grabbed four thefts in the game and Dijar recorded two assists. Katie Falls and Mora shared time in the cage in the win.
Ventura returns home on Friday Oct. 15 for a match-up with Los Angeles Pierce. The opening sprint is set for 12:30 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.