San Marcos boys water polo beats DP to advance to Channel League Tournament final

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Sophomore Will Stuart had a hat trick in the first half and senior Luke Burns tallied 3 of his game-high 4 goals in the second half as San Marcos defeated rival Dos Pueblos 12-6 to advance to the boys water polo finals of the Channel League Tournament.

The Royals will face top-seed Ventura at 4:30 on Thursday at Santa Barbara High School with the winner claiming the league title.

Dos Pueblos senior Jaden Moore scored 2 of his team-high 3 goals in the first quarter as the Chargers took a brief 2-1 lead.

But Stuart tied the game at two as he fired a rocket into the back of the net.

The Royals took the lead for good early in the second quarter as Jake Magid fed senior Nic Prentice who batted the ball in the goal for a 3-2 lead.

Prentice had three goals in the game.

After Burns scored with the Royals having a man-advantage, Stuart tallied two more goals and the Royals went into halftime up 6-3.

San Marcos put the game away early in the third quarter with three straight goals by Magid, Prentice and Burns.

The Royals will look for revenge on Ventura who edged San Marcos by one goal earlier this month.