Chargers claim league opener with shutout

Dos Pueblos' Emma Trumbull and San Marcos' Ana Otanez go up for a header. (Agapito Photos)

San Marcos keeper Hannah Harrah comes down with a save between a pair of Chargers on Tuesday.

Jamie Benedetto and Brandie Harris gave Dos Pueblos a 2-0 result over San Marcos on Tuesday, as the Chargers got a leg up on the Royals to start the Channel League season.

Both goals came in the second half starting with Benedetto’s. Ten minutes later, Harris scored to give DP its 2-0 lead on an assist from Megan Gee.

Despite the loss to start league, San Marcos felt like it was right there with one of the two teams favored to win the league title.

“I thought we were the better team out there tonight and I think anyone who watched the game would think the same thing,” said Royals coach Macie Berlin.

Dos Pueblos’ Misty Soto gave the Royals credit.

“At the beginning San Marcos came out really hard and pressured us,” Soto said. “It was really hard to pass the ball in the mid.”

The Chargers (9-2-5) were coming off a semifinal appearance at a tournament in Orange County last week.

“They hit the target and we didn’t,” said Berlin. “Our performance was there; our effort was there.”

San Marcos plays at Ventura on Thursday in another league game while Dos Pueblos returns to league play next Tuesday at Buena.