Jesse Morrison’s game-winning goal on Friday gave San Marcos a 10-9 victory over Acalanes and guaranteed the Royals of at least a 12th-place finish at the Santa Barbara Invitational.
San Marcos, ranked No. 5 in Division 2, fell to Newport Harbor in the earlier game to get knocked from the winner’s bracket. The Sailors topped the Royals 11-6.
Undeterred, Morrison scored with seven seconds remaining in the game against Acalanes to advance the Royals into the 9th-through-12th-place bracket. San Marcos faces Orange Lutheran at 10:05 a.m. at Dos Pueblos for the chance to play for 9th place.
It was Morrison’s fifth goal of the game. His offensive outburst helped the Royals rally from a 6-3 deficit earlier in the contest.
George Kuesis and Spencer Wood scored two each in the match against Acalanes. Wood led the Royals in scoring against Newport Harbor with three goals.
