Ian Gamble’s four goals led the Santa Barbara High water polo team to a convincing 12-3 win over Esperanza on Saturday, giving the Dons two victories in two days over two solid Orange County teams.
“We have 10 seniors, and we knew we’d be pretty good, but after opening with a loss to Mira Costa, it made us feel that maybe we weren’t as good as we thought we were,” said coach Mark Walsh. “I thought the Mater Dei match could have been a turning point in the wrong way for our season.”
The Dons (3-1) edged mighty Mater Dei 8-7 earlier in the week, and have looked strong ever since.
“We had a speed advantage and got a lot of counter-attack opportunities,” said Walsh.
Hunter Ploch had 10 saves in the cage for Santa Barbara.
SANTA BARBARA 12, ESPERANZA 3
Santa Barbara…..4-3-2-3—12
Esperanza……….0-2-0-1—3
Goals — SB: Gamble 4, Kewrin-McElroy 3, Cowan 2, Churchman 1, Masho 1, Sklar 1.
Goalie saves — Ploch 10, Morgan 3.
Record—SB: 3-1.
