Dos Pueblos boys water polo kicked off the Channel League season with a 15-12 overtime win over Buena on Thursday at Elings Aquatic Center in Goleta.
The Chargers got out to a hot start, leading 3-0 after the opening quarter of play. The Bulldogs battled back in the second, but Dos Pueblos held onto a 5-3 lead into halftime.
Buena continued to keep it close in the third, trimming the Charger lead to 8-7 with one quarter left in regulation. The Bulldogs continued to roll in the fourth and took a late 10-9 lead, but Dos Pueblos’ Koa Zertuche kept it there with a clutch penalty save.
Channing Wigo then came through on the other end of the pool for the Chargers, scoring the game-tying goal to make it 10-10 and send the game into overtime.
The Dos Pueblos offense carried that momentum into overtime, pouring on five goals, including one from Tyler Racine, to pull away for the win.
Zertuche totaled 10 saves for the Chargers, while Grant Nelson led the team with six goals. Wigo added in five goals of his own.
Dos Pueblos (12-5, 1-0 Channel League) will host rival San Marcos next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara High 14, Channel Islands 6
The Dons went on the road and came away with a 14-6 win over Channel Islands on Thursday in Oxnard.
Atticus Diaz poured in four goals to lead the Dons’ offensive attack, while Charlie Gray was all over the pool with three goals, three assists and four steals.
Meanwhile, Jordan Sada scored twice and swiped four steals and both Luka Karman and Zach Camp buried two goals.
Santa Barbara High will begin the Buena Tournament on Friday with games against Carpinteria High and Long Beach Millikan.
