The VC women's water polo team began the Ventura Tournament Friday with a pair of difficult losses, 11-6 to Sierra and 11-10 to Fullerton, at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Ella Montano netted three goals with three assists, four steals and three drawn exclusions while AnnMarie Patterson scored six times in the two games with three thefts and three drawn exclusions.
Ventura 6, Sierra 11
The Pirates battled, but did not have enough to keep up with the state's No. 4-ranked Wolverines in the tournament opener.
Caitlyn Hilgenberg scored in the first quarter to tie the score at 1-1, and Kelsee Espitia's goal with 1:49 remaining in the period gave the Pirates a 2-1 edge.
The Wolverines came back, however, and outscored VC 4-0 in the second stanza for a 5-2 lead at halftime.
Sierra continued their onslaught wit three more goals before Montano found the inside of the cage at the 3:12 mark to end the skid with VC trailing 7-4.
Unfortunately, the Wolverines expanded their cushion in the final period, moving ahead 10-4 before goals by Montano and Patterson narrowed the final margin to 11-6.
Ventura 10, Fullerton 11
The Pirates were looking for retribution against the Hornets following a narrow loss on Sept. 27. They nearly pulled it off except for a furious comeback by Southern California's No. 9-ranked team.
Ventura, ranked No. 10 in SoCal, fell behind 3-0 in the opening minutes of the contest. A pair of scores by Patterson sandwiched around a goal from Milla Malesich evened the count, and Espitia's last second score gave VC a 4-3 lead after one quarter of play.
Patterson found the inside of the cage two time early in the second period before both defenses gook over play. VC led 6-3 at halftime.
The teams traded goals after intermission, with Stevie Sturges, Patterson and Espitia all answering Hornet goals for a 9-7 Pirate edge at the quarter break.
Malesich's goal at the 6:38 mark of the final stanza gave the Pirates a 10-7 edge, but four unanswered Fullerton goals, the final two in the last minute of play, sealed the result against Ventura.
Ventura will continue hosting its annual tournament on Saturday Oct. 12 at the Ventura Aquatic Center. VC plays Modesto at 3:30 and Pasadena at 6:00 pm.