The VC men's water polo team had a lot to play for on Saturday. With their 15-12 victory over Citrus in the third-place game of the Western State Conference Tournament, the Pirates finish their season with a 13-13 overall mark, the program's best finish since 2016. Evan Augusta led the inspired effort with four goals while Michael Soho added three sores and Samuel Abarca and Brayden Black added two each. Stephen McNaughten turned in 10 saves in the cage for Ventura.
After the Owls jumped out with an early score, Augusta scored twice to give VC the lead, 2-1. Luigi Travi added a goal in the opening period and Augusta and Black each scored as VC held a 5-4 lead after one period.
The game was locked up at 7-7 midway through the second quarter before Abarca scored, followed by goals from Caleb Graffious and Soho gave Ventura a 10-7 edge at halftime.
Boaz Biglin scored early in the third quarter, and Owen Patterson's goal made it 12-8 with 3:18 on the clock. Augusta scored late in the third to pt the Pirates ahead 13-10 heading to the final stanza.
Goals by Soho and Wyatt Dingman, and a strong defensive effort kept the Owls at bay in the final eight minutes as Ventura closed the year with the 15-12 triumph.