CYPRESS, CA - The No. 1 Golden West College (26-0, 5-0) men's water polo team took down the Orange Coast College Pirates (18-7, 4-1) in the 2017 Orange Empire Conference Water Polo Championship Final at Cypress College on Saturday, 18-7. The victory crowned the Rustlers 2017 Orange Empire Conference Champions, the 29th title in a row for the GWC men's water polo program.
With the win, Golden West remains unbeaten at 26-0 overall on the season and maintains their No. 1 ranking going into the Southern California Regional Playoffs.
The Rustlers came ready to play, jumping out to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. Vedran Latkovic netted three early goals to put the Rustlers out in front. Both teams traded goals in the second quarter as GWC entered the half leading 8-4.
Golden West managed to put the game away with an explosive performance in the third quarter, outscoring the Pirates 8-2. Coast was unable to overcome the deficit in the final quarter and ultimately fell short.
Both teams will advance to the SoCal Championships next weekend.
In the 3rd place game, Riverside City College defeated Saddleback College 13-8.
In the 5th place game, Fullerton College defeated Santa Ana 22-5.
FINAL OEC SEEDING:
1. Golden West
2. Orange Coast
3. Riverside
4. Saddleback
5. Fullerton
6. Santa Ana
CCCAA SoCal Regional Information
The 2017 SoCal Regional Championships will take place at LA Valley College Thursday, November 9 through Saturday, November 11, 2016.
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