Santa Barbara goalie Sean McGee makes a save during first-round match against Acalanes. (Vince Agapito photo)
The reviews were mixed for Santa Barbara’s performanee on the opening day of its inaugural Invitational Water Polo Tournament.
The Dons were guilty of some shaky defense and committed too many turnovers, leading to several counterattacks in a 13-12 loss to Acalanes in their tournament opener.
Santa Barbara rebounded in its second game and beat Murrieta Valley 9-4.
Dos Pueblos had a rough first day, losing to Huntington Beach 13-3 and Royal 12-6.
Mater Dei, Loyola, Agoura and Miramonte went 2-0 on Friday and advanced to Saturday morning’s semifinals.
Mater Dei routed Murrieta Valley 19-6 and Acalanes 15-5 to win Group A; Loyola captured Group D, beating Cathedral Catholic 11-7 and Harvard Westlake 14-11; Miramonte took Group B with wins over Royal (14-7) and Huntington Beach (7-3); Agoura topped Sacred Heart (16-3) and Vista (11-6) in Group 3.
At 9 a.m., Mater Dei, the defending CIF Division 1 champion, plays Loyola, followed by Agoura against Laguna Beach at 10:05 a.m. at Santa Barbara High. The winners meet for the championship at 1:20 p.m.
In consolation play, Santa Barbara (2-2) plays Cathedral Catholic of San Diego at 9:05 a.m. at Dos Pueblos High. The Chargers follow at 10:10 against Sacred Heart.
Santa Barbara’s Alec Linz scored four goals, had two assists and drew three ejections in one half of work against Murrieta Valley. Henry Richardson led the defense with four steals, and goalie Sean McGee made eight saves, including five on power plays.
Against Acalanes, the CIF North Coast Section champion, Evan Robertson played a strong game, earning seven ejections, with three assists and goal.
Linz led the Dons with four goals and two assists, while Nick Johnson added two goals and four assists.
Friday, Sept. 16 @ SBHS
(#1) Acalanes 13, SBHS 12
(#2) Mater Dei 19, Murrieta Valley 6
(#3) Loyola 11, Cathedral Cath 7
(#4) St. Francis 12, Harvard Westlake 8
(#9) SBHS 9, Murrieta Valley 4
(#10) Mater Dei 15, Acalanes 5
(#11) Loyola 6, St. Francis 5
(#12) Cathedral Catholic 14, Har-West 11
Friday Sept. 16 @ DPHS
(#5) Huntington Beach 13, DPHS 3
(#6) Royal 7, Miramonte 14
(#7) Agoura 16, Sacred Heart 3
(#8) Laguna Beach 7, Vista 8
(#13) DPHS 6, Royal 12
(#14) Huntington Beach 3, Miramonte 7
(#15) Agoura 11, Vista 6
(#16) Laguna Beach 13, Sacred Heart 8
