The Ventura College women's water polo team opened a four-day, six-game homestand Wednesday with a 15-8 conference win over Los Angeles Valley at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Ella Montano led the way with five goals and AnnMarie Patterson scored four. Ahna Davis played a strong game in goal with 13 saves for the No. 8-ranked Pirates (12-3, 2-0).
VC was ahead 3-2 midway through the first quarter before breaking out with three goals in the final two minutes of the period. Montano and Patterson scored on back-to-back possessions, and Kelsee Espitia found the inside of the cage in the final minute for a 6-2 Pirate lead at the quarter break.
Davis anchored a solid Ventura defense into the second quarter, holding the Monarchs scoreless for over 11 minutes of game time. Patterson and Kendal Santos each scored for VC in the period before LAVC got a goal in the final minute to make it an 8-3 margin for VC at halftime.
After Montano scored an early goal just after intermission, LA Valley made a run with three straight scores to close to within 9-6. Following a Ventura timeout, the Pirates straightened things out beginning with a goal by Gabrielle MacNeill. Emily Baughn answered another Monarch score as VC led 11-7 at the end of the third period.
Jessica Garcia began the final stanza with a goal, and the Pirates ended the game with three straight scores for the 15-8 final margin.
Baughn added three assists and three steals to her two goals and Espitia had three helpers and two thefts in the game. Montano also dropped three dimes and had a pair of steals on defense and Patterson pulled in a team-best four thefts with two assists.
The Pirates next host the Ventura Tournament beginning Thursday Oct. 5 through Saturday Oct. 7. VC takes on San Diego Mesa at 2:00 pm on Thursday at the Ventura Aquatic Center before playing two games each on Friday and Saturday.