The VC men's water polo team captured a pair of victories Saturday to close the Golden West Tournament in Costa Mesa. Ventura (9-9, 1-2) took down Palomar 16-14 in the morning match before defeating Riverside 11-7 in the finale. Evan Augusta scored seven goals to lead the way for the Pirates and Stephen McNaughten recorded nine saves in the cage in the two wins.
Ventura 16, Palomar 14
The Pirates trailed the Comets 4-3 at the end of the first quarter and 8-7 at halftime before turning things around.
Palomar scored to open the third period before Owen Patterson and Boaz Biglin netted goals to tie the score with 5:06 on the clock. Brayden Black's goal put VC ahead 10-9 and Patterson scored again to make it four consecutive goals for the Pirates.
Augusta, Thomas Shea and Patterson all scored to begin the final stanza, giving VC a 14-11 advantage. Patterson scored what would be the game-winner with 5:07 on the clock and Biglin added the final goal with 46 seconds remaining to set the final 16-14 margin.
Patterson finished with four goals, two steals and four drawn exclusions and Augusta also found the inside of the cage four times. Michael Soho kept the Pirates in the game early with three goals. McNaughten recorded four saves with one steal to preserve the victory.
Ventura 11, Riverside 7
VC claimed the tournament finale with a breakout third quarter against the Tigers.
Augusta, Soho and Patterson all scored in the first period as Ventura went ahead 3-2. Augusta and Soho also netted scores in the second quarter to help the Pirates hold a 5-4 lead at intermission.
Just after halftime, VC exploded for four straight goals to take control of the game. Black, Biglin, Soho and Augusta all scored for a 9-4 Pirate advantage halfway through the quarter. Soho then answered a Tiger score with another goal to push the lead to 10-5 at the end of the period.
Samuel Abarca finished the job late as his score set the final 11-7 margin.
Augusta and Soho each scored three times and Augusta added a pair of steals defensively. Biglin ended the game with a pair of goals and a theft and McNaughten totaled five saves in goal.
The Pirates return to Western State Conference play on Wednesday Oct. 30, hosting Citrus College. The first sprint is slated for 3:30 at the Ventura Aquatic Center.