Santa Barbara’s Kelsey O’Brien scores one of her four goals on a no-look backhand shot that gets past Dos Pueblos goalkeeper Britten Vilander. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Santa Barbara High’s girls water polo team finished off an undefeated Channel League season on Thursday by defeating Dos Pueblos 14-8 at Elings Aquatic Center.
The Dons (23-4, 8-0) have won 18 games in a row heading into CIF playoffs that begin next week. The brackets will be released on Sunday with the Dons holding Division 1’s top overall seed.
“In the years past we haven’t been able to win this many games in a row. It’s really exciting that we’ve been accomplishing a lot more than we ever have before,” said Dons senior Sophie Trabucco.
Trabucco was Thursday’s leading scorer with five goals. Kelsey O’Brien added four for Santa Barbara. Anna Brummett, Erin McGeoy, Jessica Gafney and Georgia Ransone also scored for the Dons.
Jamie Neushul led Dos Pueblos with three goals.
Dos Pueblos finished tied with San Marcos for second place. A coin flip was conducted after the match, giving San Marcos the Channel League No. 2 seed and Dos Pueblos No. 3.
The Chargers were within two goals of the top-ranked Dons in the third-quarter at 8-6. But the Dons then scored three straight to end the quarter, and six straight going into the fourth quarter to build their lead back up to a game-high eight goals.
Santa Barbara had led 7-1 in the second quarter before the Chargers rallied.
“They exposed some things we definitely have to work on (before playoffs),” said Dons head coach Mark Walsh.
Go Dons!!