The Ventura College women's water polo team used a 5-0 run after halftime to turn a 6-6 tie into a 5-goal advantage en route to a 17-12 victory over Cerritos Thursday afternoon in the 2022 season opener for both teams. Kendal Santos had an outstanding debut for the orange and black with six goals, four assists and three drawn exclusions to lead the way for the Pirates (1-0). Gabrielle MacNeill scored four times and Emily Baughn dished out four assists in the effort while Daphne Neilan won all four sprints in the game.
In a close first half, the Falcons (0-1) led at the end of the opening period, 4-3. Cerritos found the back of the cage again early in the second before MacNeill scored n consecutive possessions to tie things up midway through the stanza. Neilan scored in the final minute of the half before Cerritos tie the score at six just before intermission.
Five different Pirates scored a goal in the first four minutes of the second half, including MacNeill, Savannah Packard, Baughn, Neilan and Santos, and VC opened up an 11-6 advantage with 4:05 left in the third quarter. Baughn and Santos each scored again late in the period and the Pirates held a 13-10 lead headed to the final eight minutes.
Ventura settled any doubt about the outcome early in the final quarter with a quick score from Santos and back-to-back goals by Jessica Garcia. Santos found the inside of the cage in the final minute of play to set the 17-12 final margin.
The Pirates split time between goalies in the season opener with Kiana Casey recording six saves with a pair of steals while Ahna Davis turned back three Cerritos shots with a steal. Neilan led the defense in the field with five thefts.
VC has little down time, traveling to Mission Viejo on Friday Sept. 9 to take on Chaffey and Saddleback at the Saddleback Invitational.