MEN'S WATER POLO: Playing at home for the final time this season, the VC men's water polo team split a pair of matches Friday at the Ventura Aquatic Center, losing 13-11 to Mt. San Antonio College in overtime before defeating Fullerton 11-8 in the nightcap in the Ventura Mini. Joe Yamamoto led a balanced Pirate scoring attack with five goals in the two matches while Nick Miranda found the back of the net four times. Sean McGee had 16 saves in the cage for Ventura (13-13, 3-1).
Ventura 11, Mt. San Antonio 13 (OT)
The Pirates and Mounties were tied 1-1 after the first quarter, and Mt. SAC took a 4-2 lead into halftime. After the Mounties took a 5-2 advantage early in the third quarter, VC responded with five straight goals to take a 7-5 lead with 2:56 remaining in the third period. After Mt. San Antonio tied the match at 7-7 at the end of the quarter, Miranda scored twice in the post as the Pirates took a 9-7 lead midway through the fourth.
The Mounties tied the match once again before Hunter Shevitt gave the Pirates another lead lead, 10-9, with 2:14 on the clock. Mt. SAC tied the match in the final minute of play to send the teams into overtime.
In the extra time, Yamamoto converted a 5-meter shot to put Ventura ahead before the Mounties took control, taking the match 13-11.
Yamamoto, Miranda, and Rodrigo Siracusa all scored two goals each for VC while Tyler Remnant, Shevitt, Josue Cornejo, Tim Allen,and Jimmy Ewald all scored one goal. McGee had nine saves.
Ventura 11, Fullerton 8
Ventura used a 4-0 second quarter to take control of the match, 7-3 at intermission. They built their lead to 10-5 at the end of three quarters, and held an 11-6 lead with 2:56 left to play before the Hornets scored three inconsequential goals.
Yamamoto netted three scores while Miranda hit the net twice. Allen and Ewald also scored two goals each and Remnant and Rogelio Coronado also scored for Ventura. McGee registered seven saves in the match.
The Pirates will next head to the Western State Conference Tournament Friday and Saturday Nov. 8-9. They will receive the No. 2 seed, and have to win just one match each day to capture the WSC crown.