Santa Barbara High’s girls water polo team pulled out two one-goal victories to finish ninth at the So Cal Championships in Orange Coutny on Saturday.
The Dons got five goals from Sophie Johnson and goalie Nalani Kim made saves on penalty shots and 6-on-5 chances by Yucaipa to secure ta 6-5 win.
Layla Szymczak had a goal and three assists and Johnson drew five exclusions.
Yucaipa’s goalie kept her team in the game with 18 saves.
In the ninth-place game, Szymczak scored on an 8-meter shot with one second left on the shot clock and six seconds on the game clock, giving Santa Barbara a 10-9 win over San Clemente
Santa Barbara rallied from a 6-1 deficit in the second period.
Johnson scored twice in the last minute of the quarter to get the game to 6-3 at half.
The Dons tied the score at 8 after three periods and took the lead early in the fourth period.
San Clemente tied the score with two minutes to go on their fourth penalty goal of the game.
Szymczak hit her shot off of a loose ball scramble.
Johnson had three goals and three exclusions earned and Allie Bartholomew also scored three goals and drew two exclusions. Abby Webber had a goal, three steals and earned two exclusions.
“I am extremely proud of the effort the girls put in this weekend and in particular today,” said coach Mark Walsh. “To come back from five down late in the second period against a good team in the last game of the tournament shows a lot about their character. I am lucky to coach such a tough group of girls
“Most of these girls have not had to play such important roles on their team in the past for high school or club. They have all made huge strides as players and leaders. I could not be more proud of them.”
Johnson was named to the all-tournament team.
Santa Barbara will host the Channel League Tournament this week. The Dons will play the winner of the Dos Pueblos-Lompoc match on Tuesday in the semifinals.