The North-South Challenge lived up to its name for the Santa Barbara boys water polo team on Friday in Palo Alto.
After defeating Acalanes, a team from the East Bay, the Dons came up short against Sacred Heart, one of the top teams in Northern California.
After splitting it first two matches, Santa Barbara plays Mater Dei Saturday morning in a pool of four to determine 5th-through-8th places.
Against Acalanes, Brandon Cowan led the team in scoring with 3 goals. Jeff Churchman added a goal, 3 assists and 3 steals. Brendan Kerwin-McElroy’s two-goal, three-assist performance also stood out in a match where 10-of-11 Dons scored.
Goalie Hunter Ploch stopped a season-high 15 shots in the first game, 11 saves in the second.
The Dons defeated Mater Dei 8-7 in their second game of the season and are ready for another stiff test at this loaded tournament.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to see a pretty motivated team,” said Walsh.
