The VC women's water polo team's 10 game winning streak was snapped in the opener of the Battle at the Beach Tournament Friday, but they rebounded to avenge an early season loss in the nightcap of the 24-team, three-site tournament. VC lost to San Joaquin Delta 15-7 in the first round before defeating Palomar 10-5 in the second game of the day, both at Cerritos College. Lauren Wiksell had seven goals, two assists, three drawn exclusions and three steals on the day for Ventura (19-6, 5-1).
Ventura 7, San Joaquin Delta 15
Ventura trailed the Mustangs 6-1 at the end of the first quarter and could not mount a comeback, seeing their 10-game winning streak come to an end. Wiksell had four scores with an assist and three steals. Paige Treloar-Ballard netted a pair of goals with an assist, three drawn exclusions and a pair of thefts while Ylva Ostlin scored a goal with two drawn exclusions and a steal. Valeria Ramirez had eight saves in the cage.
Ventura 10, Palomar 5
The Pirates avenged an earlier 14-11 loss to the Comets in the nightcap. VC slowly pulled away, leading 4-2 and 7-3 at the end of the first two periods and 9-3 after three quarters. Wiksell had three goals, an assist and three drawn exclusions and Treloar-Ballard also had three goals with four steals. Ostlin filled up the stat sheet with two goals, an assist, two drawn exclusions and three steals. Kelsey Golden had a goal with an assist and three steals and Maeve Flynn had a score with three drawn exclusions. Ventura totaled 13 steals and 13 drawn exclusions in the contest. Ramirez recorded five saves.
Ventura returns to play Saddleback in the first match of the day Saturday Oct. 22 at Cypress College. They will then play one more contest to complete the Battle at the Beach.