It was the perfect ending to the weekend. The VC women's water polo team closed the Ventura Tournament with an overtime win and a blowout victory Saturday, sporting a perfect 4-0 record for the tournament at the Ventura Aquatic Center. The Pirates (9-10) defeated Palomar 9-8 in double overtime in the morning match before routing San Diego Miramar 12-5 in their tournament finale. Sabrina Cherfane had six goals on the day while Kayla Wallace and Kelsey Golden netted five and four scores, respectively.
Ventura 9, Palomar 8 (2OT)
When Katia Flores scored midway through the third period, the Pirates held a 5-2 advantage over Palomar in the first match of the day. The Comets, however, managed to come back and tie the score at 7-7 with 2;40 left in regulation time. With three seconds remaining, Golden scored a go-ahead goal to put VC up 8-7 for the apparent victory. The Comets miraculously answered in the final second to tie the score, sending the match to overtime. After one scoreless extra period, Wallace netted the game-winner with 53 seconds remaining in the second for the 9-8 win.
Wallace had three goals, two assists and nine steals to lead Ventura and Golden scored twice with an assist and four steals. Flores had one score with one helper and four thefts and Cherfane scored a goal with a pair of steals. Sara McGuire and Talullah Lund Sidi also scored for the Pirates. Haley Hall recorded 11 saves in the cage in the match.
Ventura 12, San Diego Miramar 5
The Pirates dominated from the start of their tournament finale, leading 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, and 6-1 at halftime. Cherfane was constantly behind the Jets' defense, scoring five goals with a steal and a drawn exclusion. Wallace netted two scores with two assists and three steals and Golden had two scores with a pair of helpers. McGuire also scored twice for Ventura and Katie Heath had a goal with an assist. Sophia Anorga turned back nine shots in goal.
The Pirates will continue Western State Conference play on Wednesday Oct. 11 at Citrus College for a 3:30 pm match.