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Women's Polo Falls in Third-Place Game

The VC women's water polo team dropped a narrow 11-10 decision to Cuesta on Saturday in the third-place game o fthe Western State Conference Tournament at Citrus College. Keslsee Espitia led the effort for the Pirates (18-12, 4-4) with four goals and five assists while Caitlyn Hilgenberg and Ella Montano each netted a pair of scores. Hilgenberg and Milla Malesich each recorded four steals defensively and Ava Carey had 10 saves in the cage.

Ventura sophomore Kelsee Espitia scored four goals with five assists in VC's 11-10 setback against Cuesta in the third-place game of the WSC Tournament Saturday.
Ventura sophomore Kelsee Espitia scored four goals with five assists in VC's 11-10 setback against Cuesta in the third-place game of the WSC Tournament Saturday.
Box Score
November 9, 2024

The VC women's water polo team dropped a narrow 11-10 decision to Cuesta on Saturday in the third-place game of the Western State Conference Tournament at Citrus College. Kelsee Espitia led the effort for the Pirates (18-12, 4-4) with four goals and five assists while Caitlyn Hilgenberg and Ella Montano each netted a pair of scores. Hilgenberg and Milla Malesich each recorded four steals defensively and Ava Carey had 10 saves in the cage.

In a low-scoring opening period, Espitia and Montano each found the inside of the cage for VC as the Pirates opened up a 2-1 lead over the Cougars.

Espitia answered a Cuesta goal with a score at the 6:27 mark of the second quarter, and Hilgenberg pulled Ventura even at 4-4 with a goal at the 5:16 mark. AnnMarie Patterson and Espitia each scored late as the Pirates led 6-5 at intermission.

Hilgenberg's goal with 6:51 left in the third quarter opened up an 7-5 Pirate advantage before Cuesta strung together back-to-back goals to tie the score with 5:27 remaining. Espitia scored for an 8-7 Pirate lead, and Malesich found the cage to push VC ahead 9-8. Cuesta scored late in the period for a 9-9 deadlock entering the final eight minutes of play.

Montano put Ventura ahead 10-9 with 7:07 left to play, but the Cougars managed a pair of goals, the final one with 45 seconds left, to take the contest.

Wit the setback. the Pirates now sit firmly on the playoff bubble. They await news in the next day or so to see if they will join the 12-team field at the 3C2A Southern California Regionals Nov. 13-16.