The VC men's water polo team opened Western State Conference play with a victory Wednesday, defeating Santa Monica 19-12 on the road. Owen Patterson was dominant in the post with 10 goals and hea added three steals defensively. Evan Augusta handed out six assists while Stephen McNaughten and Ethan Ortiz recorded six and five saves, respectively, in the cage.
Ventura (5-5, 1-0) got off to a quick start, racing out to a 4-1 lead with goals by Patterson, Thomas Shea, Boaz Biglin and Samuel Abarca. A pair of scores by Patterson in the final 1:32 of the first quarter gave VC a 6-3 margin at the quarter break. Santa Monica closed the gap to 6-5 through the second period before Michael Soho found the inside of the cage for a 7-5 lead at intermission.
Patterson scored again early in the third stanza before the Corsairs netted a pair of scores to make things close, 8-7. The Pirates countered with four unanswered goals, two by Patterson and one each from Biglin and Erik Schwartz, to put the game out of reach. VC led 13-8 heading to the final eight minutes en route to the 19-12 triumph.
Abarca and Shea each tallied two scores in the game while Shea also added a team-best five steals. Brayden Black handed out three assists.
The Pirates next travel to the Cerritos Tournament on Friday Oct.4 to play Fullerton and the host Falcons. they will host Cuesta on Wednesday Oct. 9 at 2:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.