San Marcos lost a pair of one-goal games Saturday, but had its best finish ever at the girls water polo Southern California Championships in Orange County.
The Royals placed 12th after falling to Dos Pueblos 8-7 and Murrieta Valley 10-9.
“I was so pleased with the effort of our athletes,” San Marcos coach Chuckie Roth said. “It’s been a year full of adversity, but each kid is proving to be stronger down the stretch.”
Riley Heiduk scored three goals and Morgan Bergthold tallied two against Dos Pueblos. Goalie Jenna Phreaner had five saves and seven steals.
Against Murrieta Valley, San Marcos trailed 8-5 going into the fourth period. The Royals mounted a big comeback and had a shot to tie the score with three seconds left. Halie Johnson lobbed a ball that ended up floating on the goal line.
Johnson scored four goals and Hailey Gellert put in two. Phreaner was tremendous in goal, making 14 saves and two steals.
San Marco hosts Dos Pueblos on Wednesday and has its Senior Day game on Thursday against Ventura.
