It was a mismatch on Thursday out at San Marcos as the host Royals were taken down by Santa Barbara High 14-4 in a Channel League girls water polo matchup.
Claire Bergthold, one of three junior varsity players brought up for the Dons, picked up a hat trick in her varsity debut, and Santa Barbara collected 20 steals as a team.
San Marcos coach Brian Roth knew his team would be in for a long day.
Rose Koper leans away from Santa Barbara's Kelsey O'Brien
“Things happen a lot faster when you play against Santa Barbara High. They do a good job, they’re well-coached and their girls played really tough,” he said. “I don’t think we were as tough as we could have been today.”
The Dons were up 7-0 after one quarter and took an 11-1 lead into the half. San Marcos’ Brittny Hummel buried a shot at the halftime buzzer to get the Royals on the board heading into the break.
Chloe Brooks got the start in goal for the Dons (7-5, 2-1) and tallied five saves and two assists, while Makenzy Fowler swiped four steals. Mallory Zaunius had seven saves in the cage for San Marcos (7-4, 1-1).
Dons coach Mark Walsh said that playing in last weekend’s prestigious Newport Harbor Holiday Cup led to an easier time against the Royals.
“We just got done at a real difficult tournament playing some really tough teams, so I think it made the pace of the game today a little slower and we were able to read things better,” he said.
Roth noted two bright spots in Flo Chardon and Sarah Switzer.
“A year ago I never thought I would be playing Sarah Switzer for three quarters in a match against Santa Barbara High. That girl has just stepped it up so much., and she’s the epitome of tough,” he said.
Roth also thought that Chardon, who amassed seven steals, played her best all-around match of the year for San Marcos.
SANTA BARBARA 14, SAN MARCOS 4
Santa Barbara…7 4 2 1 — 14
San Marcos…0 1 1 2 — 4
Goals — SB: Bergthold 3, O’Brien 3, Cusimano 2, Hendrix 2, Gonzales 2, STrabucco 1, Fowler 1 . SM: Chardon 1, HKoper 1, RKoper 1, Hummel 1.
Goalie Saves — SB: MTrabucco 2, Brooks 5. SM: Zaunius 7.
