Championship Saturday came and went, but not without dramatics and fireworks. Two teams came away with the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championship title at tournament's end as the Golden West College Rustler's men's team claimed their 33rd straight crown, while the Orange Coast College women's team reigned supreme in an eight-overtime battle against top-seeded Fullerton.
WOMEN
The Pirates jumped out to an early three-goal lead featuring a set of netters from Faith Cuevas. Cuevas added another score in the second, but two goals from Fullerton's Neida Torress kept the Hornets in the mix with a two-goal deficit at halftime.
Orange Coast extended their lead to three goals at the conclusion of the third quarter, but two quick goals from Fullerton midway through the final quarter of regulation brought the score to 7-6. Torres took matters into her own hands late in the fourth quarter by firing home two scores no consecutive possession to tie the game up at eighth apiece.
Fullerton's Sophia Martinez handed her team a 9-8 advantage for the first time of the game inside the three minutes mark, but a score from OCC's Ana Nardell sent the contest into overtime.
Orange Coast took a lead in the first overtime period compliments of a goal from Jordyn Lughart, but Orange Coast's anchor Jullian Duwe responded with a goal in the following overtime period to knot in back up at 10.
After multiple overtime periods passed, Orange Coast's Natalia Stanard sent the Hornets packing with a game-winning netter and an Orange Empire Conference Championship.
Final Standings: Orange Coast, Fullerton, Riverside
MEN
It was no surprise to anyone that the Rustlers entered into the tournament as the favorite to win it all. They did so in commanding fashion by defeating Saddleback, 22-8, to haul in their 30th consecutive conference title.
It was truly a no contest for Saddleback as the Rustlers jumped out to a four-goal lead and never looked back. They scored three or more goals in each quarter highlighted by a six goal outbursts in the first and second quarters.
Seven different players scored at least one goal with Augi Macchi firing home four scores. Alec Johnson tallied four goals, while Italy Roth followed with three goals.
Final Standings: Golden West, Saddleback, Orange Coast