San Marcos High rallied from an early deficit in overtime to defeat Santa Barbara, 9-8, in Tuesday’s semifinals of the Channel League Girls Water Polo Tournament at the Lompoc Aquatics Center.
The Royals, ranked No. 5 in Division 1 of the CIF-Southern Section, will play No. 3 Dos Pueblos for the championship today at 4:30 p.m. in Lompoc.
San Marcos got five goals from Cassidy Miller and three from Fiona Kuesis.
“We played strong team defense as well as took care of the one-on-one matchups,” Royals coach Chucky Roth said. “Hannah Meyer played a big role with her defensive stops.
“I was really proud of my girls and their ability to play under pressure tonight, and I felt that Santa Barbara’s goalie played a great game.”
Dons’ goalie Faith Tedesco had 14 saves and an assist. San Marcos also got a strong game in goal from Riley Christian, who recorded five blocks and two steals.
Elise Power scored three goals on just three shots for Santa Barbara, which included the first goal of overtime. Abigail Hendrix assisted three goals and scored another. The Dons will face Cabrillo in today’s third-place match at 3:15 p.m.
San Marcos also defeated Lompoc 9-1 in the quarterfinals, with Mia Amberger, Caroline Courtois and Brooke Ingram scoring three goals apiece.
Second-seeded Santa Barbara and top-seeded Dos Pueblos both got first round byes. Cabrillo defeated Santa Ynez 14-10 in overtime in its quarterfinal match before falling to DP, 19-7, in the semifinals.
The Chargers jumped out to a 16-2 lead by halftime. Senior Sophie Leggett scored three goals and assisted five others.
DP’s youth movement also made a big impression, with freshman Anikka Kuhm getting two goals and two assists, and sophomores Charlie Winter and Audrey Lang netting two goals each. Freshman Isabella Moore added a goal and two assists.
Today’s action will begin at 2 p.m. with the fifth-place game between Santa Ynez and Lompoc.
CARPINTERIA 20, HUENEME 3
The Warriors secured a co-championship in the Citrus Coast League with their road victory.
Freshman Alex Zapata scored seven goals and junior Sadie Mead added six for Carpinteria (9-5, 7-1 Citrus Coast).
The Warriors will celebrate Senior Day and tune up for next week’s start to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs with today’s 3:15 p.m., regular-season finale against Cate.
BOYS SOCCER
BISHOP DIEGO 5, THACHER 1
The Cardinals, ranked eighth in the CIF-Southern Section’s Division 7, clinched their first conference championship in 20 years by completing an 8-0 Frontier League season with their home victory.
Jack Luckhurst scored Bishop’s first two goals while his two brothers added the next two. Adam Luckhurst scored a header off a long throw-in by Luke Williams and Michael Luckhurst added the Cardinals’ fourth goal to start the second half.
A score by Thacher was answered by Luke Williams’ header off a free kick by Adam Luckhurst.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
BISHOP DIEGO 55, VILLANOVA 49
The Cardinals kept their CIF-SS playoff hopes alive while holding off the visiting Wildcats.
Julia de la Cruz scored 12 points, leading Bishop (9-13, 3-5 Frontier League) to a 47-22 lead through three quarters. But Villanova took advantage of 21 free throws in the fourth period to close to within five points with less than a minute remaining.
Post players Ashlyn Oxton and Sydney Naour added eight points apiece for the Cardinals.
Bishop must now await the result of Thursday’s game between Villanova and second-place La Reina. A La Reina victory would set up a special playoff game between Bishop and Villanova for the league’s third playoff berth. That game would be played on Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Bonaventure High.
SANTA PAULA 61, CARPINTERIA 28
Hannia Hernandez and Michelle Alpizar scored eight points apiece for the Warriors, who completed their season with their road defeat at Santa Paula.
“Their future looks bright with the leaps and bounds they’ve made this season and with many of their starters returning,” coach Benti Delacruz said.
