In a clash of powerhouse programs, San Marcos girls water polo fell to Orange Lutheran by a score of 15-8 on Wednesday at Santa Barbara’s pool

Orange Lutheran is the defending CIF-SS Open Division Champions, a tournament in which the Royals were eliminated in the opening round.

San Marcos kept it close in the first half, entering the halftime break behind just 6-5.

However, Orange Lutheran turned it on offensively in the second half to pull away and secure the seven-goal victory.

Charlotte Raisin led the Royals with four goals while Lucy Haaland-Ford tallied a trio of scores. Makenna Stretz rounded out San Marcos’ scoring with one goal.

Raisin, Haaland-Ford and Stretz also made an impact defensively with two steals apiece.

The Royals (2-1) will take on another elite program in Mater Dei on Friday at Santa Barbara High at 5:30 p.m.

Noozhawk sports editor Diego Sandoval can be reached at dsandoval@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter and Instagram @NoozhawkSports