Avery Ball scored six goals and added three assists to lead Dos Pueblos to a 13-8 win over San Marcos at Warkentin Stadium Friday, securing a fourth consecutive Channel League title for the Chargers.
Dos Pueblos led 9-4 at the half, and San Marcos played the Chargers even in the second half, pulling within three goals with about 11 remaining but unable to get closer.
San Marcos coach Paul Ramsey said Ball was the difference-maker in the match, even more so for her midfield play than her scoring.
“Avery rules that midfield when she is out there, and it’s a study in Lacrosse IQ every time we see her,” Ramsey said.
“Yes, everyone sees her goal production, but what I see is her off-ball movement, ground balls, draw controls and her transition work getting the ball from defense to offense for her team.”
Dos Pueblos coach Jess Delgadillo credited the Royals for putting his team to the test.
“Our defense had a hard time adjusting to some quick and thoughtful plays by the Royals,” Delgadillo said. “It was a great challenge for our girls to have to communicate in new ways and find new rhythms.”
Autumn Litten had six draw controls for the Chargers, and Makayla Severson, Caitlin Duncan, and Lauren Elliott scored two goals each. Maddie Nees had 10 saves.
The Royals were playing their third game in four days, and did not back down against a fresher Dos Pueblos team who had beaten them by 10 goals last week.
During the second half, San Marcos goalie Megan Taylor had seven of her 11 saves in the game.
“By the second half, we were running with them and fighting for ground balls, which really helped, but our offense is still learning we can score even when someone else is playing good defense,” Ramsey said, “if we try to score the right way.”
The Chargers are 8-0 in league play and 16-1 overall. They wrap up league play with games against Santa Barbara and Nordhoff on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, next week.
San Marcos plays Thacher and Santa Barbara next week, and wins over both would assure the Royals of a second-place league tie with Cate, Ramsey said. A loss in either would put the Royals in a Thursday play-in game for a post-season berth.