MJC's Acosta scores in clutch

The Modesto Junior College women's water polo team needed some positive reinforcement. They got it from Priscilla Acosta.

Acosta, a freshman from Ceres, netted her second goal with seven seconds left Wednesday afternoon to give Modesto its first Big 8 Conference victory, an exciting 9-8 decision over San Joaquin Delta (3-7, 0-4) at the Dave Ashleigh Aquatics Complex. Modesto took advantage of a man-up situation for the winning goal.

The Pirates (4-9, 1-3) snapped a three-game losing streak, thanks to five goals by Brandie McGee and one apiece by Alexis Wheeler and Jessica Carwin. Goalkeeper Carlee Sousa accounted for 14 saves.

• MJC MEN'S WATER POLO —Ryan Calou totaled four goals to lead the Pirates (7-2, 2-1) over Delta 14-10. The win lifted MJC into third place in the Big 8.

Marco Contreras also starred with three goals, and Rodrigo Padilla and Cameron Domasky had two goals apiece. Manny Bettencourt, Austin Ruggeberg and Cody Belivens scored a goal apiece for MJC.

• MJC VOLLEYBALL —The Pirates (1-2, 11-7) won a close first set before falling 3-1 to American River in Big 8 action at MJC Gym.

Modesto was beaten 24-26, 25-11, 25-16, 25-9 despite 17 kills by Jamie Beck, 33 assists by Annika Rigney and 16 digs by Malia Miller. Coryn Hernandez had two blocks and Aubrey Larsson and Morgan Jensen each served an ace.

• MJC WOMEN'S GOLF —The Pirates, led by Erica Ballard (82-77 — 159), placed sixth among 15 teams at the two-day Morro Bay Invitational. Ballard's 77 paced a fourth-place team finish during the second round.