The VC women's water polo team dropped a 13-9 decision against Citrus College Wednesday at the Ventura Aquatic Center in their final regular season conference game. AnnMarie Patterson and Kelsee Espitia each scored three times and Milla Malesich netted a pair of goals. Ava Carey totaled nine saves in the cage.
The Pirates got off to a slow start against the Owls with Espitia scoring the lone goal as Citrus went ahead 5-2 in the first quarter. Malesich scored at the end of the period, and Patterson scored at the end of the second but VC trailed 9-3 at halftime.
Patterson, Ella Montano and Espitia all scored to open the third quarter as the Pirates made a run, but Citrus responded with a pair of goals to keep VC at bay.
Malesich, Stevie Sturges and Caitlyn Hilgenberg all handed out two assists in the game while Montano and Espitia each pulled in a pair of steals. Montano and Malesich also drew four exclusions each.
Ventura closes the regular season on Saturday Nov.2 playing West Valley and Cerritos at the Santa Barbara City College Tournament. They will begin the Western State Conference Tournament on Thursday Nov. 7.