San Marcos and Dos Pueblos met on Tuesday in a clash of top-10 teams in Division 1. The Chargers, ranked No. 5, proved to be a step above the No. 9 Royals in a 9-2 Channel League matchup.
The Royals scored once in the first quarter but the Chargers defense kept them off the scoreboard again until late in the fourth. While on a 10-day break from competition, Chargers head coach Chris Parrish emphasized their defensive effort.
“The last couple of games, our defense, we were just giving up too many goals,” Parrish said.
Laurel Kistler recorded seven steals in the game and added three goals and an assist. Jamie Neushul also contributed in a variety of categories, picking up three goals and five assists. Britten Vilander tallied three saves in the cage.
Dos Pueblos hosts No. 6 Laguna Beach on Thursday ahead of the weekend’s Tournament of Champions. San Marcos plays Montebello on Thursday at Santa Barbara High before the TOC.
Royals head coach Brian Roth found a positive in his team’s 5-on-6 defense.
“We did some pretty good things,” Roth said.
Jenna Phreaner collected nine saves and added four steals for the Royals.
