Jack Palmer gets a hand on a five-meter penalty shot on Tuesday. (Presidio Sports Photos)
Jack Palmer blocked two five-meter penalty shots while Spencer Wood and Kameron Bebb scored three goals each in San Marcos’ 10-5 Channel League victory over Santa Barbara High on Tuesday.
Palmer, who finished with 11 saves, stopped his second penalty shot in the second half with the Royals leading 8-4.
“I thought that was a big momentum changer,” said Royals head coach Jeff Ashton. “I thought we were a little tired before that and that kind of sparked the guys again.”
San Marcos played two league matches last week followed by a handful of tournament matches over the weekend in Orange County. The Royals couldn’t afford a letdown now, however, as the team can assure itself a share of its first Channel League title since 1994 by winning its two games this week.
The first save on a penalty shot came in the second quarter although Santa Barbara’s Sawyer Rhodes was able to take the rebound and score on the second chance.
Santa Barbara held the Royals scoreless through most of the first quarter until Bebb broke through five minutes into the game. San Marcos never trailed after building a 4-0 lead in the second quarter.
Sawyer Rhodes led the Dons with three goals, four drawn ejections and three field blocks. Adam Gross scored once with a team-high four assists.
Jesse Morrison put home two goals for the Royals and George Kuesis and Ben Hauschild scored one each.
It was the second-to-last match of the regular season for both teams. The Channel League title will be decided on Thursday when the Royals (6-1) face Buena and Santa Barbara (3-4) travels to Dos Pueblos (6-1).
San Marcos’ Jesse Morrison (8) is weighted down by Santa Barbara defender Peter Beeson (3).
