The VC women's water polo team split their final two games of the West Valley Invitational Saturday in Saratoga. The Pirates, ranked No. 9 in the state pre-season poll, fell to No. 4 West Valley 16-6 in the early game before rebounding to defeat Fresno 20-7 in their tournament finale. Kelsee Espitia totaled 10 goals on the day with three steals and four drawn exclusions while Ella Montano and AnnMarie Patterson each recorded four scores. Ava Carey had eight saves in the cage for VC (3-1).
Ventura 6, West Valley 16
The early morning wake-up call did not suit the Pirates well Saturday as they fell in the early game to the host Vikings, 16-6. VC found themselves down 3-0 five minutes into play before Espitia was able to score twice before the end of the first period, pulling the Pirates back to within 3-2. The vikings responded with four unanswered goals for a 7-2 lead at the 2:39 mark of the second quarter. Patterson scored with 1:25 remaining in the half to make it 7-3 at halftime.
Things did not get better for Ventura in the third stanza as the Vikings outscored the Pirates 6-0 in the period. The teams were even in the fourth quarter, but the outcome had long ago been decided.
Espitia netted three goals in the game wit three drawn exclusions and Montano scored twice with a pair of steals and two drawn exclusions. Patterson and Sarah Glassman also scored goals in the game.
Ventura 20, Fresno 9
The Pirates rebounded in the tournament finale to easily defeat the Rams. After falling behind 1-0, VC came back to score five of the next six goals, two by Montano and three by Espitia for a 5-2 margin at the end of the first quarter. Espitia scored two more times early in the second period, followed by a goal by Stevie Sturges and another goal by Montano for the 9-2 lead. A late Fresno goal led to a 9-3 Ventura advantage at halftime.
Espitia continued her strong offensive performance with another goal to open the third stanza, followed by goals from JoJo Thayne, Patterson and Sturges for a 14-6 margin at the quarter break. The Pirates continued the onslaught in the final quarter, outscoring the Rams 6-1 for the final 20-9 decision.
Espitia scored a total of seven goals in the game with two steals while Patterson netted three scores. Montano, Sturges and Thayne all found the inside of the cage twice. Montano added two assists,four steals and two drawn exclusions to her effort while Thayne contributed two steals, two assists and two drawn exclusions. Carey recorded three saves in the cage with three steals and four assists.
Ventura next travels to Crafton Hills on Wednesday Sept. 18.