The back of the net saw plenty of action Wednesday at Elings Aquatic Center, as the Dos Pueblos boys water polo team scored a whopping 22 goals to Thousand Oaks’ nine.
The Division I fourth-ranked Chargers (2-2) scored four goals in the first 60 seconds of the second quarter, using good ball movement throughout the match and finding close-range opportunities almost at will.
“Our chemistry is amazing. It’s the best chemistry of any team I’ve been on. We’re able to find each other really well and no one is selfish,” said senior Kevin Cappon, who had three goals to go along with three assists. Chase Racich also had three goals while Max Silva scored five times and Connor Cleary notched a team-high six.
Thousand Oaks, the ninth-ranked team in Division IV, was just trying to keep up and make it a game.
“This is a royal rumble. It’s Division I… Play like it!” said coach Mike Giles from the sidelines. In an effort to get the Lancers to be more physical, he told his team after the first quarter that he did not mind if they fouled the bigger Chargers or if they had to take an ejection.
Standards are set high for the Chargers at this young point in the season, and coach Chris Parrish was far from thrilled with the victory.
“I thought our shot-blocking was atrocious — deflections can be tough,” he said. “But the chemistry is coming along and we moved the ball around pretty well.”
Derek Shoemaker had five assists to go along with three goals and was connecting with Silva the whole way through. Cleary had six steals in the contest. It was the second time this year that DP has scored 22 goals, the first being in a 22-7 win over Righetti last week.
The Chargers (3-1) head to the Riverside Poly Tournament on Thursday to face a field loaded with top programs.
“I’m always looking for a championship. Loyola is a very good team, and we’re hoping to meet them in the finals,” said Parrish.
DOS PUEBLOS 22, THOUSAND OAKS 9
Thousand Oaks…3 1 4 1 — 9
Dos Pueblos…5 8 5 4 — 22
Goals — TO: Laserna 5, Forsythe 2, Potter 1, Anderson 1. DP: Cleary 6, Cappon 3, Silva 5, Racich 3, Shoemaker 3, Van Alphen 1, Terpening 1, Reardon 1. Saves — DP: Moore 4.
