Betsy Hendrix scores her sixth goal of the game as Dos Pueblos’ Whitney Steidl attempts to slow her down.
Betsy Hendrix’s career-high six goals boosted Santa Barbara High’s girls water polo team past Dos Pueblos 14-6 on Tuesday at Elings Aquatics Center.
It was a close game in the first quarter, then the Dons outscored Dos Pueblos 11-2 in the middle quarters to take a 14-4 lead.
With Dos Pueblos’ pool being out of service for much of the winter break, the Dons figured they had an edge in conditioning and exploited it.
“I know DP hasn’t really been practicing a lot over break, so we’ve been working really hard and Walsh told us before the game, he’s like, ‘guys, it’s going to be a close first half and then after that you guys just have to make it a swim meet’,” Hendrix explained.
Hendrix tallied her sixth goal early in the third period. In transition, Jessica Gaffney passed ahead to Hendrix who scored over the goalie with a defender on her back.
Another difference maker was Santa Barbara’s cage defender Sienna Goggia. Coaches from both teams noted her impact. Santa Barbara head coach Mark Walsh said Goggia has begun to flourish at the position even though she has played it for less than a year.
“She was a field player on JV last season,” said Walsh, explaining the search to replace Cal recruit Maddie Trabucco.
“She was our best athlete who currently wasn’t on varsity. She played volleyball; she has good length. She has good hand-eye coordination; she has a good arm.”
“Her development has helped us out a lot.”
Goggia, a junior, finished with nine blocks.
Jordan Williams led Dos Pueblos with three goals.
“I was pleased with the first and fourth quarters, it was the middle part of the game that was not as pleasing to me,” said assistant coach Paul Wilson, who was filling in for Chris Parrish. “They know it too, but we have another big game on Thursday so we don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves.”
It was the second game of the league season for Santa Barbara (9-3, 2-0), the defending league champion, which improves to 2-0 and faces Ventura on Thursday. Dos Pueblos (5-4, 0-1) plays at San Marcos on Thursday.
SANTA BARBARA 14, DOS PUEBLOS 6
SB 3 4 7 0 – 14
DP 2 1 1 2 – 6SB Scores: Hendrix 6, A. Brummett 3, Gaffney 2, Garcia 1, J. Brummett 1, K. McGeoy 1.
DP Scores: Williams 3, St. Oegger 1, Shackelford 1, Cleary 1.
