Dos Pueblos’ No. 1 girls water polo team looked ready to go for this weekend’s SoCal Challenge on Tuesday, shaking off crosstown rival Santa Barbara 13-5 for a Channel League victory.
Both the Dons and the Chargers will travel to Irvine on Thursday to start the last of the season’s big tournaments, which also happens to be the place where Dos Pueblos (21-0) last loss, an 8-7 setback to Corona del Mar in the 2009 tournament final.
“This was the best Channel League game we’ve played so far,” Alex Hill said of Tuesday’s win, citing strong passing and teamwork as keys to DP’s success.
Dos Pueblos' Kiley Neushul threatens Santa Barbara's goal on Tuesday as Makenzy Fowler fights to get back into position for the Dons.
The decision officially wrapped up another league title for the Chargers, who hold a 7-0 league mark and have only San Marcos and the SoCal Challenge left on the regular season schedule.
Hill recorded a game-high five goals for the Chargers, who also got a hat trick from Kodi Hill and Tiera Schroeder. Kiley Neushul scored once and dished out three assists to share the team lead in that category with keeper Sami Hill.
Hill’s assists led to three goals in transition for the Chargers, who built up a 7-1 lead at halftime.
“You just don’t want to give up easy goals and today we gave up easy goals,” said Dons head coach Mark Walsh, whose No. 6 team is 12-8 overall, 4-2 in league.
Freshman Kelsey O’Brien was Santa Barbara’s top goal-getter, generating three scores. Fellow freshman Sophie Trabucco and junior Charlotte Hendrix added fourth quarter goals.
Dos Pueblos will be shooting for its third major tournament title this season over the weekend, having already won at the Holiday Cup and the Tournament of Champions.
“We really want to go undefeated,” Alex Hill said.
DOS PUEBLOS 13, SANTA BARBARA 5
Dos Pueblos 3 4 3 3 – 13
Santa Barbara 0 1 2 2 – 5
DP Scores – A. Hill 5, Schroeder 3, K. Hill 3, K. Neushul, J. Neushul.
SB Scores – O’Brien 3, S. Trabucco, Hendrix.
