Dos Pueblos’ Dylan Elliott takes a shot past San Marcos’ Taylor Lund, Jesse Morrison and Chuck Sweeney. Goalie Jack Palmer awaits the shot. (John Dvorak/Presidio Sports Photos)
A depleted Dos Pueblos squad took on a rested San Marcos team in Thursday’s Channel League matchup in the Royals’ pool. The Royals, fresh off a nine-day layoff and using full lineup substitutions, overwhelmed the Chargers 17-9.
Dos Pueblos managed to stay even with the Royals through the first period until San Marcos pulled away in the second quarter by outscoring the Chargers 7-1. Two of the second-period goals came from junior Spencer Wood, who led the Royals in scoring with six.
The Chargers were without starters Jake Griffin and goalie Ben Cable, making for a very short bench. San Marcos, on the other hand, has enough players to go five on five in practice and they’ve been practicing a bunch over the past nine days.
“We kind of did full line changes and that’s something we’ve been wanting to do since the beginning of the year, and I think that second line from practicing against the starting group has really improved,” said Royals head coach Jeff Ashton. “And I thought that they did a pretty darn good job today.”
The reserve unit saw extended playing time and made it count.
“We had a really good week of practice and coach felt we deserved more playing time this game as a unit. We really just went out 100 percent and put some goals up,” said Royals senior Chuck Sweeney.
The reserves were responsible for five scores led by Felipe Carsalade’s two. San Marcos’ depth will be a plus this weekend when the Royals play five more games in the next two days at the Steve Pal Tournament.
“Past two weeks it’s just been starters versus subs it seems like and subs have really pulled together lately and function as a unit out there,” Sweeney said.
Dylan Elliott and Quinn Peacock led the Chargers with three goals each. The Chargers made some noise in the first quarter while scoring three straight goals until the Royals regrouped at the end of the period.
Dos Pueblos (2-5) faces Ventura next Thursday in its season finale.
After the Pal Tournament, the Royals (5-1) still have Ventura on Tuesday before wrapping up their regular season at Santa Barbara on Thursday in a potential league-championship game.
SAN MARCOS 17, DOS PUEBLOS 9
Dos Pueblos 3 1 2 3 – 9
San Marcos 3 7 5 2 – 17
