Royal Makes Splash in 14-9 Victory

Showing the type of character Coach Steve Snyder said he had yet to see in his team this season, Royal High put on an impressive display in the fourth quarter of a 14-9 victory over Santa Barbara in a Southern Section Division IV water polo semifinal at Pepperdine.

The Highlanders (23-5), defending Division IV champions, will face top-seeded Cabrillo for the title Wednesday at 3:15 at UC Santa Barbara.

After falling behind, 9-8, on a goal by Shaun Moore early in the fourth quarter, Royal scored the last six goals.

Royal led, 8-5, midway through the third quarter, but the Dons (22-8) pulled even, 8-8, by the start of the fourth.

“The character of this team has been a little suspect all season,” Snyder said.

“When they scored that first goal in the fourth quarter, I was a little nervous. We’ve been playing well the last two weeks but we haven’t had a test of heart. This fourth quarter was truly a test of heart.”

Chris Richeson scored five goals for the Highlanders, one on an acrobatic play when he passed to himself over a defender, swam to the front of the goal and beat goalie Luke Trower.

Nate Ball added three goals and prevented a goal in the fourth quarter by grabbing a ball that was floating toward the Highlander goal. A goal would have pulled the Dons within 11-10 with two minutes to play.

Garrett Herzer had nine saves for the Highlanders, four in the fourth quarter.