Men's Water Polo Preview: Golden West Looking to Extend Streak

The Golden West men's water polo team is looking to extend its streak of conference titles to 35 this season.  The Rustlers are off to a good start, opening the season 12-0 overall and 2-0 in Orange Empire Conference play.

Golden West received a couple of decent challenges at the Mt. San Antonio College Tournament this past weekend but managed to prevail against host Mt. SAC (14-9) and Cuesta College (10-7).    In conference play the Rustlers started with wins against Orange Coast (14-7) and Saddleback (21-11).  Golden West features a balanced attack, with Michael Rogers leading the way with 16 goals over the first seven games.

Orange Coast, Saddleback, Riverside City and Cypress are all tied at 1-1 in conference play, and the battle for second place should be tight.  

Orange Coast and Saddleback played a non-conference game in the Golden West Invitational and OCC scored with 33 seconds remaining to pull out a 14-13 win.  The two squads will play again next Wednesday in a key OEC battle.  Orange Coast has been led by Cade Zeilinger, who has 35 goals through 11 games.  Saddleback is led by Armand Le Goff, who has 40 goals through 11 games.

Cypress blasted Riverside City, 22-7, in their OEC opener but then lost to Orange Coast, 17-14, a week later.  Cypress stands at 6-6 and hosts Fullerton next Wednesday.  The Chargers are led by Wes Brazada, who has 30 goals through 11 games.

Riverside City's lone conference win was against Fullerton, which went down as a 5-0 forfeit win.  The Tigers have one of the leading scorers in the state in Luke Bills, who has 43 goals through 10 games.

Orange Empire Conference play resumes next Wednesday, October 2.  

Release by Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback