San Marcos stayed close with CIF 8th-ranked Ventura for a a half before the Cougars pulled away for a 16-6 decision in the Channel League boys water polo game.
Ventura outscored the Royals 3-0 in the third period to open up a 9-3 lead.
“We battled hard today against a very good Ventura team for the first half, but fell apart in the second half,” said San Marcos coach Jeff Ashton, whose team fell to 0-2 in league and 8-4 overall.
Tim Allen, Brian Lee and Eric Birdsall each scored three goals for the Cougars (2-0 in league).
Shane Hauschild had three goals and James Sweeney two for San Marcos. Goalie Parker Woodward made nine saves.
San Marcos… 2 1 0 3 — 6
Ventura… 2 4 3 7 —16
SM goals: Shane Hauschild 3, James Sweeney 2, Keyvan Golizadeh 1. Saves: Parker Woodward 9
Ventura goals—Tim Allen 3, Brian Lee 3, Eric Birdsall 3, Xander Rockney Fin
