Santa Barbara’s boys water polo team never trailed in its home opener against Mira Costa on Saturday. At least not until there were 15 seconds left in the second overtime.
That’s when the Mustangs’ Bryce Miller scored his third goal of the match, giving Mira Costa a 7-6 lead at the only time it really matters on its way to a non-league victory over the Dons.
Brendan Kerwin-McElroy led Santa Barbara in scoring with two goals, but had several other shots stopped by Mira Costa keeper Dana Tuttle including one as the game ended. Sam Foley, Nick Johnson, Evan Schul and Enzo Wolfel also recorded scores for the Dons.
“It was a case of us not taking advantage of our opportunities and they put theirs away,” said Dons captain Kenny Myers.
Mira Costa scored the winning goal in a 6-on-5 situation, one that the Dons almost survived when McElroy made a field block on the Mustangs’ first shot. But the ricochet was recovered by Mira Costa and Miller was left open on the left side during the loose ball pursuit. Teammates found him in one pass and he did not hesitate on the winning goal.
“I love playing Santa Barbara because it’s a great game every year,” said Mustangs head coach Jon Reichardt, whose team snapped a 10-year streak in which the home team has won in this long-standing series. “It was a good opener for us.”
Santa Barbara has now suffered two losses to start the season and will have a week off before a two-game Orange County trip to Servite and Esperanza next weekend.
MIRA COSTA 7, SANTA BARBARA 6, 2 OT
Mira Costa 0 2 2 2 (0) (1) — 7
Santa Barbara 1 2 2 1 (0) (0) — 6
MC Goals – B. Miller 3, Gasperian 2, Koverman, J. Miller. SB Goals – McElroy 2, Wolfel, Johnson, Foley, Schul
