In a defensive battle, the Pirates' women's water polo team defeated Mt. San Antonio 9-5 to advance in the Southern California Regional Playoffs Thursday in Chula Vista. Anna Lowe scored three goals with an assist to lead VC (20-6) while Lauren Mora scored twice with an assist, three steals and a pair of drawn ejections. Katie Falls turned back 11 Mt. SAC shots in goal as No. 5-seeded Ventura moves on to face No. 4 Long Beach on Friday Nov. 12 at 4:45 pm.
It was a defensive battle from the start as both teams were shutout in the first quarter.
the Pirates managed just two scores in the second quarter, one each from Mora and Fiona Watkins, but the VC defense answered the call, holding the Mounties scoreless for another eight minutes. Ventura led 2-0 at intermission.
The Pirates built on their lead early in the second half on a score by Megan Findlay with 6:51 on the clock. Mt. SAC finally got on the board at the 3:52 mark of the third period and VC answered with three more goals before the end of the stanza. Lowe scored twice before Mora and Watkins each found the inside of the cage late for a 7-1 Pirate advantage at the quarter break.
Mora added to the VC lead midway through the final period, and Findlay answered a Mt. SAC goal with 1:17 remaining. The Mounties scored three goals in the final minute of play, but the Pirate advantage was too great to overcome. Ventura advances with a 9-5 final score.
Watkins and Findlay each finished with two goals for the Pirates.
With the win, the Pirates reach the 20-win plateau for the fourth time in program history, the first since 2016.
Ventura continues its march through the playoffs on Friday Nov. 12, playing Long Beach City College at 4:45 at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
