WOMEN'S WATER POLO: FIRST-TIME OEC CHAMPS

For the first time in the program's history, the Fullerton College women's water polo team laid claim to the Orange Empire Conference title.

At the OEC Championships this past week, held at last season's state champion Golden West College, the #1 Hornets swept through the competition remaining undefeated on the season.

Securing an opening round bye, FC faced off with Orange Coast and advanced to the championship game after defeating the Pirates in a decisive 13-5 victory. The Hornets were led by Angelica Hernandez, who put up four goals. Destiny Hernandez and Grace Schade netted three and two goals respectively. 

Riverside City College and Fullerton College battled for the conference lead throughout the season, and so it is only fitting that the final game came down to these top two. The teams knotted the score at the end of the first and second quarters, and opened the third locked 5-5. There would be no clear leader until the last minute, with Fullerton taking possession and a one point lead on Riverside. The final whistle blew and Fullerton will take home the Championship in a 10-9 victory. The scoring was spread evenly for the Hornets with Tiffany Frechette, Gabriela Perez, Grace Schade, Angelica Hernandez and Gabbi Garcia each scoring two points. Riverside was in the game until the end, with Nikki Bell leading the Tigers with four goals of the team's nine goals. Congratulations to Fullerton's women's water polo team.

"I really like the work ethic of this team. They're a hard-working blue collar team", Head Coach Gabriel Martinez.

Up Next: The Hornets (30-0) will play in the Southern California Championships hosted by Citrus College November 13-15. The top two teams will advance to the State Championships at American River College.