The No. 1 Golden West (26-0, 5-0) men's water polo team took down the Riverside Tigers (18-9, 3-2) 17-8 to be crowned 2016 Orange Empire Champions.
With the win, Golden West remains unbeaten at 26-0 overall on the season and maintains the No. 1 spot going into the Southern California Regional Playoffs.
The Rustlers came out hungry against Riverside City College and jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter. Tom McJannett netted the first two goals of the game followed by teammates James Smith, Alex Nathan, Rowan Farrell, and Peter Lovas with a goal apiece.
Golden West kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second quarter as they built their halftime lead to 11-2. The offense was paced by a slew of Rustlers as Jake Moss and Alex Nathan each netted three goals apiece. James Smith, Ben Morrison, and Tom McJannett scored two goals apiece.
The Rustlers would go on to win their 28th consecutive OEC title by the final score of 17-8 over Riverside.
Tigers fall to 18-9 overall.
Both teams advance to next weekend. Golden West as the No. 1 seed and Riverside will take the No. 4 seed.
In the 3rd place game, host Saddleback College defeated Orange Coast College 10-9 in sudden death OT.
In the 5th place game, Fullerton College defeated Santa Ana 14-5.
Final OEC Seeding:
1. Golden West
2. Riverside
3. Saddleback
4. Orange Coast
5. Fullerton
6. Santa Ana
SoCal Championships are held at Golden West College Thursday, November 10 through Saturday, November 12, 2016.