The defense took care of business for the Dos Pueblos girls water polo team in Thursday’s play-in game of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions at the Elings Aquatic Center.
The Chargers shut down Mira Costa, 12-4, to earn a spot in Friday’s main draw. Their assignment will be challenging as they take on No. 3 seed (and CIF-SS Division 1 third-ranked) Santa Ana-Foothill at 1 p.m. at the EAC.
“This is going to be a tough weekend, so I was happy to get one comfortable win, because for the rest of the competition nothing is going to be comfortable for us,” Dos Pueblos coach Chris Parrish said.
All the top-10 teams in the latest Division 1 poll are in the main draw, led by undefeated and No. 1-ranked Orange Lutheran (11-0), which is coached by four-time U.S. Olympian and 2012 gold medalist Brenda Villa.
Dos Pueblos’ defense, anchored by center defender Addison Parrish and goalie Megan Garner, made things uncomfortable for Mira Costa from the start.
“It was really good. Other than a couple of shots that went in essentially because my goalie was blinded by the sun, we played pretty solid defense,” said Chris Parrish.
The Chargers (6-4) allowed one goal in the first period and held the Mustangs scoreless in the fourth.
Garner made 13 saves and a steal and Addison Parrish had a pair of steals.
Garner also contributed to the offense, firing four long passes that resulted in counter-attack goals. She connected with Dev Wigo and Franki Court for scores to break a 1-1 tie in the first period.
“I love that she can do that, she’s so good at passing,” said Court of Garner’s accuracy on the counterattack. “She throws perfect passes.”
Court led the Chargers with four goals, while Wigo and Hana Lora Abel each scored two.
On the team’s defense, Court said coach Parrish stresses “that defense is the No. 1 offense and I think that is something we all live by. It’s something that we always come out and make sure we are doing are of the time.”
Court feels the Chargers are building to play competitive games against the top teams in the division. They’ll get a crack at No. 3 Foothill.
“We’re a bit nervous but we’re also ready to come out and play our hardest,” said Court.
In other play-in games on Thursday, Santa Barbara High was edged by Los Alamitos, 9-8; Alta Loma beat Downey, 11-5, and Schurr beat Carlsbad, 6-5, in overtime.
In Friday’s first-round action at Santa Barbara’s pool, Orange Lutheran plays Schurr at 11 a.m.; Long Beach Wilson meets La Jolla’s The Bishop’s School at 12 p.m.; No. 4 Mater Dei faces Los Alamitos at 1 p.m. and Newport Harbor plays Harvard Westlake at 2 p.m. The championship quarterfinals are at 4 and 5 p.m.
The first-round games at the EAC are: San Marcos against Alta Loma at 11 a.m.; Oaks Christian vs. Corona del Mar at 12 p.m.; Dos Pueblos facing Foothill at 1 p.m., and Laguna Beach taking on San Clemente at 2 p.m. The winners play at 4 and 5 p.m.
Santa Barbara High’s T.O.C. Schedule
With the Dons now playing in the round-robin portion of the tournament, their schedule for the weekend is set.
On Friday, Santa Barbara will take on Downey at 1 p.m. and face Carlsbad at 4 p.m.
Then on Saturday, the Dons round out their weekend with a matchup against Mira Costa at 9:35 a.m. before taking on an opponent to be determined at 12:50 p.m.
All of the round-robin games will take place at San Marcos High School.
