Vaqueros Top Ventura 10-9, Improve to 2-0 in Conference

VENTURA, Calif. – Facing Ventura in its second conference game of 2021, the SBCC women's water polo team started strong in each half to pull ahead in a tightly contested 10-9 win.

The Vaqueros improve to 11-3 overall and 2-0 in Western State Conference play. The Pirates are now 5-2 overall, 1-1 in conference.

"This was a great game. Jenna Olson contributed five assists, a season-high," head coach Chuckie Roth said. "Ventura came out and played a good game. They clearly had a plan and executed it well."

Olson facilitated what was a strong team effort on the offensive end, as driver Eden Tal and utility Charlize Winter both recorded hat tricks. Sophomore Allison Kay added two goals of her own.

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Vaqueros found themselves in a close one with the Pirates eventually tying things at 5-5 early in the second half. SBCC ended the third quarter on a 4-2 run though, with Tal scoring twice and Olson and Emily Lopez each scoring once.

Santa Barbara added to its run, with Kay's second goal making it 10-7 to open the fourth quarter. The Vaqueros didn't need to score again, allowing two goals in the final 70 seconds to hold on for the 10-9 win.

Goalkeeper Chloe Mckay recorded 10 saves for the second consecutive game, reaching double-figures for the sixth time this year.

With the win, SBCC improves to 3-1 this year in games decided by one goal. Tal leads the Vaqueros with seven goals in their first two conference games, followed by Kay with five.

It'll be a short turnaround for SBCC, which will head to San Luis Obispo, CA this weekend for four games at the Cuesta MidState Classic. The action starts when the Vaqueros face Fullerton on Friday at 2:00 p.m. followed immediately after with a game against American River.