The VC women's water polo team was severely tested Friday and Saturday with four Top-10 games at the Battle at the Beach Tournament in the South Bay. The No. 8-ranked Pirates defeated No. 10 Golden West in the opener before falling to No. 2 Riverside, No. 4 Saddleback and No. 8 Fullerton at the two-day tournament. Kelsee Espitia, Kendall Ribbers, Gabrielle MacNeill and Kendal Santos all netted three scores over the weekend for Ventura (17-9, 2-2).
Ventura 7, Golden West 6
The Pirates got a measure of redemption after falling to the Rustlers 13 days ago in an overtime decision at the Ventura Tournament.
Ventura bounced back from an early deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the first quarter on goals by Robbers and Espitia. GWC seemingly took control in the second quarter, however, outscoring VC 4-0 for a 5-2 halftime lead.
VC turned things around in the third period with Espitia and Ribbers scoring a pair of goals early. Following a Golden West score, MacNeill and Santos netted scores to tie the game at 6-6 heading into the final stanza.
Ribbers scored what turned out to be the game-winner with 7:16 remaining in the contest and Pirate goalie Ahna Davis took over from there, preventing the tying score by the Rustlers to preserve the victory.
Ribbers had three goals in the game along with two drawn exclusions and two steals while Espitia scored twice . Ella Montano handed out three assists and grabbed four steals in the game and Davis recorded 16 saves in the cage.
Ventura 2, Riverside 14
With their energy drained, the Pirates were no match for the second-ranked Tigers in the nightcap. Izabel Magana and JoJo Thayne each scored late goals for the Pirates in the setback.
Ventura 5, Saddleback 14
For the third time this season, the Pirates fell to state No. 4-ranked Saddleback. MacNeill recorded a pair of gaols with two drawn exclusions and Santos also had a pair of scores. Espitia scored once with an assist and Ribbers grabbed three thefts in the game. Emily Baughn had a pair of helpers for the Pirates while Montano and Jessica Garcia each had one assist. Milla Malesich had two steals defensively and Paige LeBaron turned back seven shots in goal.
Ventura 4, Fullerton 7
At the end of a grueling two-day stretch, VC dropped a 7-4 decision to the No. 9-ranked Hornets.
After falling behind 4-1 early in the second quarter, Montano and AnnMarie Patterson each scored to pull VC back to within 4-3 at intermission. Fullerton answered in the third quarter, however, holding the Pirates scoreless in the period to establish an unsurmountable advantage.. Santos netted her third score of the weekend to set the final margin.
Patterson scored two goals with three drawn exclusions and Montano had a score with an assist and a pair of drawn exclusions. MacNeill added two steals to go along with her goal count and Espitia handed out an assist while grabbing one steal. Santos also dropped one dime and pulled in one theft in the finale.
Ventura returns to Western State Conference play with their final home game of the season on Wednesday Oct. 25, hosting Santa Monica at 3:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.