The Lompoc boys water polo team used several counter-break goals to defeat Santa Maria in a Los Padres League game at the Lompoc Aquatic Center Wednesday afternoon.

It was very humid in the Center during the game and Santa Maria seemed to tire late. Lompoc scored five unanswered goals to start the fourth quarter - extending a 10-5 lead after three to 15-5 with 3:03 remaining in the game. Four of those goals were on counter plays off two saves by Lompoc goalie Joshua Rondash, a block by the defense and two steals.

In all, the Braves scored nine of their goals on a counter rush and added three goals with a man advantage on the way to a 16-8 victory.

"I'm glad they won, they needed a win and they deserved to win because we have been playing a lot of good water polo," said Lompoc coach Kevin Hicks. "We've been coming up short by digging a big hole. We didn't do that today."

Daniel Duneatz led Lompoc with six goals, including the first two of the game. He scored at least one goal in each quarter. Robert Macias followed with four.

"This is good that we had five different people scoring," Hicks said. "But what I like about it is that we had four people with two goals or more."

Taylor Emery had three goals, with Michael Ostrander netting two and Brandon Bassett scoring on a breakaway with one second remaining in the first half for one of the nine breaks.

"That all begins with passing and our passes were horrible today," said Santa Maria coach Jamie McGray about Lompoc's counter success. "We weren't playing up to our potential today, and that is what we've been fighting all season.

"When we play teams that are higher ranked with better skills than us, we play up to their level - but when we play teams who are the same level as us, we play down."

The Saints have struggled to be consistent, which usually happens to a youthful team.

"We are a young team - we are all juniors and sophomores," McGray said. "We have definitely seen improvement this year.

"We played Santa Ynez last week and their driving was incredible. At the end of the game we had 16 kickouts."

That is a part of the game that the Saints have improved on, but taking advantage of man-ups is still a problem.

"Capitalizing on those man-ups - we are still working on," McGray continued, "but at least we are getting something to happen."

Damian Juarez scored six goals for the Saints and was 2 for 3 on 5-meter penalty shots. Aaron Juarez and Tommy Reyes each added a goal.

"Once we got moving and weren't so flat, we got some 5-meters on our movement," McGray said. "That's exactly what they are good at and what they can do."

In a 15-11 loss Monday against Nipomo, Lompoc fell behind 10-3 early and was able to hit only 11 of 39 shots on goal. Against Santa Maria, Lompoc improved on the shooting percentage, hitting 16 of 38.

"I like that we are creating so many shots, in that we are creating that many opportunities," Hicks said. "But we need to get better on that percentage against the stronger teams."

Lompoc plays a non-league game this afternoon in Atascadero, before heading to the Santa Maria Tournament at Paul Nelson Pool on Friday and Saturday. The Saints next play a league game next Wednesday at Cabrillo after hosting the tournament this weekend. Lompoc, Morro Bay and St. Joseph are three teams from the LPL that are playing in the tourney.

St. Joseph 17, Morro Bay 6

In just its second year of existence, the St. Joseph water polo team is already storming its way up the Los Padres League standings.

The Knights team that won one game last year has pushed its league record to a perfect 3-0 with a win over the Pirates behind a strong showing from Vinny Villapondo and Andy Boniface, who scored four goals apiece at Hancock Pool on Wednesday. Collin Cusack and Shane Villapondo both scored three goals in the Knights' win.

Freshman goalie Nolan Kruse allowed just a single goal through three quarters before being lifted for a sub in the fourth.

"They're seeing that hard work pays off - you play hard defense you can win games," St. Joseph head coach John Walker said.

St. Joseph next takes to the pool on Friday at the Santa Maria Tournament.

Santa Ynez 11, Cabrillo 8

A five-goal second quarter and a big game by Adam Parlato fueled the Pirates win over the Conquistadores in Santa Ynez on Wednesday.

Parlato's four goals led the Pirates who ran their league record to 3-0. Elijah Ozimec and Lukas Lastra each added two goals for the Pirates.

Between the pipes for the Pirates, William Mann had 14 saves to go along with his three steals and an assist.

The Pirates continue their season on Friday at the Oxnard Tournament.

Tennis makeup

The completion of the St. Joseph-Santa Ynez tennis match that was called due to darkness last Thursday has been postponed once more.

The final two doubles sets were scheduled to be played Wednesday but were pushed back again because of wet grounds.

The match will be completed on Monday, Oct. 19 on the St. Joseph courts at 4 p.m.