San Marcos boys water polo dropped a 16-15 double-overtime battle with Westlake in Friday’s CIF-SS Div. 1 playoff opener at Santa Barbara High.
The Royals wrap up their season with an overall record of 16-14, including a second-place finish in the Channel League.
“I’m immensely proud of my boys’ grittiness throughout the entire game. We missed two penalties late in the game, and unfortunately couldn’t regain our lead,” San Marcos head coach Peera Sukavivatanachai said.
San Marcos got out to a strong start, building up a 4-1 lead by the end of the first quarter. Westlake found a bit more offensive success in the second, but the Royals held onto a 6-4 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter was more of the same, as San Marcos protected its multi-goal lead and was up 10-7 heading into the fourth.
The Westlake offense woke up in the final period of regulation, nearly matching its three-quarter total with five goals. Meanwhile, the Warrior defense held the Royals to just two goals to send the game into overtime tied up at 12-12.
Westlake carried its offensive momentum into overtime, pouring in three goals in the first overtime period to take a 15-14 lead into the second OT.
Both teams found the net in the second overtime, but the Warriors held on in the end to keep their season alive.
San Marcos’ Brandon Lee closed out his stellar sophomore campaign with a game-high eight goals, while Ryder Wilson scored twice for the Royals.
Westlake will take on Mira Costa in the second round next Thursday.
