A swarming defense and a distinct edge in experience made for a lopsided boys water polo contest at Santa Barbara High on Tuesday, as the Dons beat visiting San Marcos 16-2.
Nick Johnson, Alec Linz and Evan Robertson each had hat tricks for Santa Barbara (4-1), which led 6-0 after one quarter. Backup goalie Sam Johnson had 10 saves in three quarters of play. San Marcos (2-6) had eight steals as a team and got its only two goals on long-distance shots from lefty Andre Rivera.
The Royals struggled to get the ball into two-meter man Tyler Lisea throughout the match, as the Dons defenders were relentless in homing in on the ball.
San Marcos plays Camarillo in Oxnard on Thursday, while Santa Barbara will be at the Newport Tournament.
SANTA BARBARA 16, SAN MARCOS 2
San Marcos…0 1 1 0 — 2
Santa Barbara…6 2 3 5 — 16
Goals — SM: Rivera 2. SB: Linz 3, Johnson 3, Robertson 3, Sklar 1, Matthews 1, Schlagel 1, Loomis 2, Davis 2.
Goalie saves — SM: Bebb 8. SB: Johnson 10, McGee 1.
