Women's Polo Advances to WSC Title Game

The Pirates' women's water polo team advanced to the Western State Conference title game with an 8-4 victory over Citrus Friday at LA Valley. Kelsee Espitia scored four goals, including a pair in the decisive second quarter, and Ahna Davis had six saves and five steals in the cage and also scored a goal as Ventura moved to the final for the third straight season and the 16th time since 2001.

The Pirates took the early lead on a goal by Emily Baughn two minutes into the game.  The Owls, who defeated VC 8-6 on Oct. 18, responded with their own score and the teams were knotted 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Citrus scored first in the second stanza for the short-lived 2-1 margin before Espitia tied the game soon thereafter. AnnMarie Patterson and Espitia netted back-to-back scored later in the quarter, and Davis scored at the end of the period for the 5-3 Ventura lead at halftime.

The Pirates yielded a goal early in the third quarter before Espitia restored the two-goal VC advantage with a score late in the quarter.

Gabrielle MacNeill and Espitia each found the inside of the cage in the fourth quarter to set the final margin.

Ella Montano dished out three assists with two steals and a drawn exclusion and Baughn had three drawn exclusions and dropped two dimes. Kendall Ribbers and Kendal Santos each recorded three steals defensively in the triumph.

Ventura next plays Santa Barbara for the WSC championship on Saturday Nov. 4. The first sprint is slated for 3:00 pm at Los Angeles Valley College.