The Pirates' women's water polo team split a pair of games Friday at the Ventura Aquatic Center on the first day of the Ventura Tournament. VC defeated Pasadena 18-4 in the morning contest before falling to Golden West 9-6 in the nightcap. Daphne Neilan totaled five goals on the day while Kendal Santos scored four times with seven steals. Ahna Davis totaled 19 saves and five steals in the cage in the two contests.
Ventura 18, Pasadena 4
VC went wire-to-wire in their defeat of the Lancers in the opener.
Gabrielle MacNeill was on fire early, scoring the first three goals of the game from her center spot. Ribbers followed with another score and Ventura led 4-0 before PCC got on the board. Gabrielle Mendoza found the inside of the cage twice before the quarter break and the Pirates led 6-2 after eight minutes of play.
Kiana Casey shut out Pasadena in goal in the second, while four different players totaled five goals for VC in the period. Neilan sandwiched a pair of gaols around a score by Shella Norman before Emily Baughn and Mendoza each scored in the final minute of the period for an 11-2 halftime lead.
Davis played a scoreless third quarter in the cage for Ventura as they added to their advantage. Ribbers, Santos, Yazmeen Gonzales and Samantha Moran all converted shots in the period and the Pirates led 15-2 headed to the final stanza.
MacNeill and Mendoza each finished with three goals while Neilan, Ribbers, Santos and Gonzales each scored twice. Savannah Packard had a two assists and five steals in the game and Santos grabbed four thefts defensively. Mendoza also handed out a pair of helpers. Casey recorded seven saves in goal and gave out two assists.
Ventura 6, Golden West 9
Ventura fell behind in the opening period of the nightcap and could not muster the comeback against Golden West, dropping the 9-6 decision.
After the Rustlers grabbed the opening lead, Ribbers converted an assist by Neilan to tie the game. GWC then reeled off four unanswered scores into the second quarter to take control. Neilan's goal from Baughn's help at the 6:12 mark of the second pulled Ventura to within 4-2, but the teams traded scores from that point and Golden West led 7-4 at intermission. VC could never get the margin below three goals in the second half in the setback.
Neilan scored three goals in the game with an assist and two steals and Santos scored twice with three thefts. Baughn totaled three assists and two steals while Davis turned back 15 Rustler shots in the game.
The Ventura Tournament continues all day Saturday Oct. 8 with Ventura hosting Mt. San Antonio at 8:00 am and Merced at 6:00 pm.