Santa Barbara’s Ian Gamble scored the equalizer plus the game-winner for the Dons boys water polo team as it came from behind in an 8-7 victory over powerful Mater Dei on Tuesday afternoon.
Gamble scored four times for Santa Barbara (1-1) and Chris Dall added two more in the Dons’ home opener.
“They’re one of the stronger teams on our schedule this year,” said head coach Mark Walsh. “To get a win over them is real good for us.”
Gamble’s final goal, which came with a minute remaining, capped a 3-1 fourth quarter that was Santa Barbara’s second comeback of the afternoon.
The Dons went down early, sinking themselves into a 3-0 hole before reeling off four consecutive scores in the second quarter to take a 4-3 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Mater Dei regrouped and looked like the Monarchs from the early goings as they regained the lead by the end of the third, 6-5.
Driver Nick Sklar put the Dons in position to win in the fourth quarter when he drew a penalty shot by getting pulled under in front of the goal.
Gamble fired the free shot into the upper left of the net to draw the Dons even at 6-6.
Santa Barbara really clamped down on defense after that. Hunter Ploch, who had 10 saves in goal, kept the Monarchs out of the net from then on, and Walsh commended the all-around defensive play from Jason Masho, which included a key shot block late in the game.
The Dons hit the road on Friday and Saturday for matchups with Servite and Esperanza before their next home game on Tuesday against Oaks Christian.
(Santa Barbara’s Ian Gamble gets ready to fire the winning goal against Mater Dei on Tuesday. Photo by John Dvorak)
SANTA BARBARA 8, MATER DEI 7
Santa Barbara……..0 4 1 3 — 8
Mater Dei…………..2 1 3 1 — 7
Goals: SB — Gamble 4, Dall 2, Sklar 1, Fesembeck 1. MD — Wherry 3, Bonnini 3, Caulum 1. Goalie Saves: SB — Ploch 10. Records — SB 1-1
