Completing an undefeated run through Channel League play this season, the San Marcos girls took the league tournament championship with a 10-5 title game win against Dos Pueblos Thursday in Oxnard.
The Royals, ranked No. 5 in CIF-SS Division 1, now look forward to opening the playoffs on Thursday, February 9. The draw will be announced Friday.
Santa Barbara took the tournament’s third-place game, and it took five overtimes to beat Ventura, 9-8.
In the title game, San Marcos was led by Ava Stryker and Reagan McEachen with three goals apiece. Kate Meyer scored two goals and added three steals.
“I’m just so happy for my team,” San Marcos coach Chuckie Roth said. “They are great people in and out of the water and work incredibly hard. They all put the team first and earned this one.
“This is a team effort,” Roth added. “We have a great group of supporting team members who don’t get recognized everyday, but make significant impacts everyday. I really appreciate each and every one of my athletes. ”
The Chargers, who finish with an 8-2 league record, also await the CIF-SS playoff draw.
in the title game, they were led by Harvard-bound Emma Gilbert with two goals, while fellow seniors Ava Bennett and Athena Wigo scored a goal apiece, as did junior Addison Parrish.
Megan Garner finished the game with nine blocks.
“The Charger defense did a fantastic job keeping the explosive San Marcos offense to just 10 goals,” Dos Pueblos coach Chris Parrish said. “It was a full team defensive effort.
Santa Barbara 9, Ventura 8 (5OT)
Layla Szymczak scored on a 6-5 in the fifth overtime period — her fourth goal of the game — to bring the third-place win for the Dons.
Abby Webber and Addie Sweeney had two goals each for Santa Barbara. Maria Bittle scored one goal, “and did a great job of guarding their centers,” Santa Barbara coach Mark Walsh said.
The Dons were up 3-0 late in the second quarter, but the Cougars hung on. Ventura tied the game with 42 seconds to go in the fourth quarter and 12 seconds to go in the second OT period.
Santa Barbara is also waiting for the D1 playoff bracket.