The Pirates' men's water polo team defeated Diablo Valley 15-11 Friday at the Cuesta Classic II in San Luis Obispo. In the second game of the day, VC dropped a decision to the host Cougars. Owen Patterson scored eight goals and recorded four drawn exclusions on the day while Evan Augusta had six scores with two steals. Samuel Abarca and Brayden Black each netted a pair of goals in the effort for Ventura (6-8, 1-2).
Ventura 15, Diablo Valley 11
The Pirates opened the day with a solid victory over the Vikings. Patterson led the effort with five goals, one steal and an assist and Augusta netted three goals with one helper and a theft. Abarca recorded a pair of goals with two steals and an assist and Black scored twice with two dimes.
Boaz Biglin got VC on the board early and Patterson's score at the 4:32 mark of the first quarter tied the score at 2-2. Augusta also scored in the opening period as Ventura and DVC were tied at 3-3. The teams remained tied at halftime, 6-6.
Augusta, Patterson and Abarca all scored in the third quarter to give the Pirates a 9-7 advantage at the 2:53 mark before Patterson's score late made it 10-8 at the end of the stanza.
After a Diablo Valley goal early in the final period, Patterson, Abarca and Erik Schwartz all scored to give VC some breathing room, 13-9. Black and Luigi Travi closed out the scoring for Ventura in the 15-11 victory.
Ventura 6, Cuesta 21
Patterson scored three goals with four drawn exclusions and Augusta also recorded three goals as VC came up short against the conference foe.
Cuesta led 6-1 after the first quarter and 12-3 at halftime. The Pirates trailed 17-4 after three periods.
Ventura next travels to the Golden West Tournament in Huntington Beach on Friday and Saturday Oct. 25 and 26.