Dos Pueblos boys water polo pulled out an 11-10 overtime thriller over Buena in the CIF-SS Div. 1 Quarterfinals on Thursday in Oxnard.
The Chargers trailed in every period of the game, but came through when it mattered to punch their ticket to the CIF-SS Div. 1 Semifinals against Loyola next Wednesday in Los Angeles.
The game was sent into overtime after the Channel League foes went back and forth throughout the regulation until the final whistle sounded, and they were tied at 9-9.
In the first overtime period, Dos Pueblos took advantage of a drawn exclusion and Eli Carnaghe deposited the go-ahead goal to take a 10-9 lead into the second overtime.
The Charger defense held the Bulldogs to just one goal down the stretch, and Dos Pueblos’ Lucas Neushul found the back of the cage from six meters away to clinch the victory.
The Dos Pueblos defensive unit, led by goalie Koa Zertuche, locked in as the game wore on, limiting Buena to just four goals in the final 20 minutes of play.
Neushul led the Charger offensive attack with five goals, while Aricin Marshall scored three of his own. Ben Fuhrer, Grant Nelson and Carnaghe rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece.
Nelson also came up with a clutch earned ejection to help Dos Pueblos complete the comeback.
The Chargers now boast an impressive overall record of 25-5 heading into the semifinals.