San Marcos’ George Kuesis led the Royals in scoring in Thursday’s win. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Santa Barbara and San Marcos won their first-round matches on Thursday to begin the three-day Santa Barbara Invitational boys water polo tournament, each advancing to face the top seeds on Friday.
San Marcos picked up its victory over Laguna Beach, 9-7.
The Royals built a 6-2 lead at halftime but saw that advantage evaporate in the third quarter. The Breakers rallied to make it a one-goal game heading into the final period. San Marcos buckled down and held Laguna Beach to one goal in the last quarter.
George Kuesis’ four goals led San Marcos. Miles Cole, a USA Youth National Team player, attracted plenty of double teams at the center position and finished with two goals. Chuck Sweeney, Spencer Wood and Adam Fuller also scored for the Royals. Goalie Jack Palmer collected nine saves.
San Marcos will play Orange Lutheran, the No. 4-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 1, at 2 p.m. on Friday.
Santa Barbara’s 11-9 victory over Los Osos was the Dons’ season opener. Playing without junior Sawyer Rhodes, a USA Youth National Team player, the Dons were lifted by strong games from Adam Gross, Jake Castillo, Chris Gaffney and Jack Rottman.
Gross led the team with five assists and one goal while Rottman posted a team-high four goals and three steals.
Walsh credited Will McManigal for making some big plays in his varsity debut playing goalie. McManigal came in for starter Justyn Barrios in the fourth quarter and made a key steal and save to preserve the victory.
Another newcomer is sophomore-transfer Castillo. He scored Santa Barbara’s last two goals to give the Dons a late 11-8 lead. Castillo finished with three goals and three steals.
The Dons face Mater Dei at noon on Friday.
SCHEDULE & SCOREBOARD
THURSDAY
at Dos Pueblos
Santa Margarita 17, Dos Pueblos 12
Dana Hills 13, Gunn 10
Agoura 15, Claremont 9
Righetti 13, Murietta Valley 4
at Santa Barbara High
Santa Barbara 11, Los Osos 9
Newport Harbor 13, Servite 10
San Marcos 9, Laguna Beach 7
Acalanes 15, Cerritos 9
FRIDAY
at Dos Pueblos
12 p.m.: Loyola vs. Santa Margarita
1 p.m.: Cathedral Catholic vs. Dana Hills
2 p.m.: Harvard-Westlake vs. Righetti
3 p.m.: Miramonte vs. Agoura
at Santa Barbara High
12 p.m.: Mater Dei vs. Santa Barbara
1 p.m.: Campolindo vs. Newport Harbor
2 p.m.: Orange Lutheran vs San Marcos
3 p.m.: Huntington Beach vs. Acalanes
at San Marcos
12 p.m.: Claremont vs Murrieta Valley
1 p.m.: Los Osos vs. Servite
2 p.m.: Dos Pueblos vs. Gunn
3 p.m.: Laguna Beach vs Cerritos
