Published on October 14, 2009
The Ventura College women’s water polo team put on a stellar offensive performance Wednesday night, proving to be too much for Cuesta College, as the Pirates cruised to a 16-7 victory.
Playing away from the recently closed VC Aquatics Center has not seemed to affect the Pirates’ play this year. Because of structural damage to the aquatic center, all of their home games this season have been played at Buena High School or at the Ventura Community Park three miles down the road.
Sophomore leader Carly Clark put on quite a show, scoring seven goals, including four in the first quarter.
Pirate head coach Mary Giles had nothing but praise towards her Agoura High School product.
“Carla brings great experience, great game, and great attitude,” Giles said.
According to Giles, this effort is exactly what makes this team dangerous.
“We are very deep,” Giles added. “You can’t leave any of our girls open.”
The Pirates’ deep roster proved costly for Cuesta (8-14), who gave up their first goal 47 seconds into the game. After the Pirates’ goal, Clark showed off her game and her arm, scoring three straight goals in less than two minutes to give the Pirates (10-4) a 4-0 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter.
Great stops by goalies Marissa Herold and Marina Petty kept the game out of reach. Cuesta could not seem to find the net in the first half, and the Pirates lead 10-3.
In the second half, Emily Allen got a goal after a great feed on a breakaway from Olivia
Hernandez, pushing the game to 11-3, and ultimately out of reach, The Pirates proved they were a deep team when Clark injured her arm late in the third quarter and was taken out.
The lead was 12-4 when Cuesta sophomore Morgan Thompson threw a Hail Mary, scoring from 20 meters away. The Pirates were not phased after the long shot on goal, and Mary Dugan decided to challenge Thompson with a 20-meter heave of her own as time expired to take a 13-5 lead after three quarters.
It seemed as if anything Cuesta could do, the Pirates could do better. Clark seemed to know how she scored seven goals.
“My teammates,” she said. “It kind of clicks this season.”
Clark later added that the team’s ability to communicate had lasting effect on the outcome of the game.
“We just seemed to be able to talk with each other,” said Clark.
From their offensive firepower to tenacious defense on the front line, Giles believes that it is necessary to have a good defense and offense.
“I’m a firm believer that good defense leads to good offense,” she said.