Santa Barbara’s Sawyer Rhodes is blanketed by Ventura’s Tyler Gray in Thursday’s Channel League match. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Santa Barbara fought off Ventura, the No. 10 team in Division 2, on Thursday as the Cougars rallied in the fourth quarter only to fall 9-7 in the Channel League opener.
The Dons led 6-3 after three quarters but Ventura trimmed the lead to one goal at two different times in the final period.
Sawyer Rhodes scored a team-high four goals with six steals. Adam Gross totaled two goals, three assists and four field blocks.
Santa Barbara (13-6, 1-0) plays Ventura again on Tuesday in Ventura.
