Vaqueros start fast with five wins in Central Coast Invitational

The Vaqueros are off to a 5-0 start under sixth-year coach Chuckie Roth. They've won 30 or more games for three straight years with a combined record of 94-10.
The Vaqueros are off to a 5-0 start under sixth-year coach Chuckie Roth. They've won 30 or more games for three straight years with a combined record of 94-10.

SBCC averaged 14 goals in five wins this weekend in the Central Coast Invitational women's water polo tournament at Cuesta College.

The Vaqueros, who finished second, first and fourth in the state the last three years, defeated five schools from Northern California to open the season.

Taylor Brooks, a sophomore utility from Honolulu, scored 20 goals and recorded nine steals for the Vaqueros (5-0).

Santa Barbara won three games on Friday's opening day, taking down West Valley 10-3, Foothill 16-6 and Diablo Valley 13-5. On Saturday, the Vaqueros outscored Merced 18-10 and Fresno City 13-9.

"I was really happy with how the team came together this weekend," said coach Chuckie Roth, who's 136-36 in his sixth season. "I feel like we developed a lot of team chemistry which was lacking but will be one of our greatest strengths by the end of the season.

"Both goaltenders (Zoe Johnson and Jayde Maniscalco) played well while every field player was able to contribute offensively. I'm really proud of Hana Wigzell, our only returning sophomore who is a team leader and continues our team traditions.

"First-year player Emily Reilly has quickly become an inspirational leader and scored her first college goal in our second game."

The Vaqueros will play two games at Citrus in Glendora on Thursday, taking on Citrus at 10 a.m. and San Joaquin Delta at 12 p.m. The game against Delta is a rematch of last year's third-place State game that the Mustangs won 8-7.

SBCC 10, West Valley 3: West Valley went up 1-0, then the Vaqueros scored the next eight goals with three coming from Taylor Brooks. Brooks had three goals and three drawn ejections. Allison Kay had three goals and two assists and Hana Wigzell made four steals.

SBCC 16, Foothill 6: The Owls closed within one at 6-5 with 3:22 to go before halftime, then the Vaqueros dominated the rest of the way by a 10-1 count. Wigzell scored four goals and Brooks had three goals and two steals. Bleu Ricketts added three assists.

SBCC 13, Diablo Valley 5: The Vaqueros built a 7-0 halftime lead and cruised to victory in the third game on Friday. Brooks led the way with four goals and ex-Santa Ynez High star Annie Ackert had three goals and five steals. Wigzell added a goal and four steals. Johnson didn't allow a goal in the first half and made five saves before giving way to Maniscalco, who played the last two quarters. Johnson broke the all-time CIF saves record during her four-year career at Valhalla High in El Cajon.

SBCC 18, Merced 10: The Vaqueros won the 1st quarter 6-2 and the 3rd 7-3 to build a 15-7 advantage heading into the fourth period. Brooks tallied five goals and three steals and Lanie Acevedo also scored five times in five shots. Ackert added four goals.

SBCC 13, Fresno City 9: SBCC led 6-1 and 9-4 early in the third quarter before the Rams pulled within two at 10-8 and 11-9. Brooks scored the last two goals in the final 1:48 to secure the fifth straight win. Brooks notched five goals for the second straight game and added two steals. Johnson made eight saves in two quarters. Veronica Heidke scored three goals and Kay chipped in with two.