San Marcos girls water polo advanced to the CIF-SS Open Division quarterfinals with a 15-9 win over Long Beach Wilson on Wednesday at Elings Aquatic Center in Goleta.
The victory rounded out pool play for the Royals, who went 2-1 to advance to the next round. They will host Corona Del Mar on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Santa Barbara High.
“We had so many athletes step up in different ways,” San Marcos head coach Chuckie Roth said. “I was proud of McKenna Stuart, who found herself in foul trouble early and then went on to make a few crucial steals that led to goals and one pivotal drawn ejection.
“Also noteworthy is junior Scarlett Akin, who fills in wherever needed in a variety of roles and had an amazing goal and two pivotal steals.
Charlotte Raisin and San Marcos came out of the gates firing, as the USC-bound senior poured in four goals in the first quarter to help her team build up a commanding 6-1 lead.
Raisin continued to roll in the second quarter, scoring three more goals to help the Royals bring their lead to 10-6 by halftime.
“Charlotte was unstoppable tonight, Roth said. “She used an arsenal of shots that was truly impressive. I am not sure we have ever had an athlete score 10 goals in a game. However, to do that in one of the biggest games of the year against a top-eight program in Southern California – that is impressive.
“Char is mixing assists and shooting, along with some amazing defense.”
The second half was a defensive battle, as neither team managed more than five goals across the final two quarters to give San Marcos the 15-9 win.
Raisin ended the night with 10 goals to outscore Long Beach Wilson on her own, while Jade Pattison scored twice and Sophie Yonker, Scarlet Akin and Lily Bordofsky all scored once.