GOLETA, Calif. – In a thrilling CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinal on Saturday, the Dos Pueblos Chargers advanced to the championship game with a 14-11 victory over the Laguna Beach Breakers. The win was anchored by a standout performance from sophomore Channing Wigo, who tallied four goals, and senior Grant Nelson, who matched him with six goals, the most on the team.
Early back‑and‑forth set the tone
The Chargers got off to a slow start, trailing 4-1 early in the first quarter. A decisive 5‑0 run that spanned the end of the first and the start of the second quarter flipped the momentum, giving Dos Pueblos a 6-4 lead that they never relinquished. Laguna Beach fought back, tying the game at 6-6 just before halftime.
Wigo shines in the third period
After the break, Wigo took control of the contest. He converted a 5‑meter penalty shot and later made a key defensive block that sparked a transition offense. Using his left hand, he scored a quick goal to put the Chargers ahead 8-6. The momentum continued as he added another goal early in the fourth quarter, a powerful right‑handed strike that extended the lead to 10-8.
Freshman contribution and senior finish
Freshman Wyatt Warkentin contributed three goals, including a long‑range shot that beat the Breakers’ goalie as the shot clock expired, pushing the score to 11-9. The senior surge came from Grant Nelson, who finished with a team‑high six goals, three of them coming in the final minutes to seal the win.
Goalkeeping and defensive effort
Dos Pueblos’ goalkeeper Koa Zertuche made five crucial saves, while defender Ty Abel added a goal and solid defensive play that helped keep Laguna Beach off balance. The Chargers’ balanced attack and disciplined defense proved too much for the Breakers, who fought valiantly but could not overcome the early deficit.
Next up: championship showdown
With the semifinal victory, the second‑seeded Chargers will meet top‑seed Mira Costa in the CIF‑SS Division 1 championship on Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The title game promises another showcase of the region’s premier high‑school water polo talent.
Dos Pueblos’ head coach praised the team’s resilience, noting that the early slump tested the squad’s character. “Our players showed great heart,” he said. “Channing’s leadership and Grant’s scoring burst were exactly what we needed to get over the line.”
The semifinal win adds to Dos Pueblos’ strong season record and marks the third consecutive victory over Laguna Beach this year, underscoring a budding rivalry that has energized water polo fans across Santa Barbara County.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
