The Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Tournament came to a close on Saturday and Riverside City College was a 13-10 winner over Saddleback College in the championship game at Orange Coast College. The Tigers sprinted out to a big lead in capturing the OEC title.

Riverside scored seven of the first eight goals in taking a 7-1 lead with over six minutes remaining in the second quarter.  Jessie Nelson scored two of the goals on way to a team-high four goals in the game.

Saddleback made a run at the end of the game to make things interesting, outscoring the Tigers 7-3 over the final 16 minutes.  Lola Annear had a big game for the Bobcats, scoring six goals in the losing effort.  

Riverside finished the regular season 24-3 overall and 7-0 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Tigers were named the No. 2 seed for the Southern California Regional Tournament on Sunday at the coaches meeting.  The Tigers will play the winner of Citrus College and Grossmont College on Friday at Citrus College at 4:30 PM.  

Saddleback finished the regular season 20-10 overall and 5-2 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats earned the No. 3 seed for the regional tournament and will face the winner of Ventura College and Los Angeles Valley College on Friday evening at Citrus College at 5:45 PM.  

One other Orange Empire Conference squad made the field for the regional tournament as Orange Coast College was named the No. 4 seed for the tournament.  The Pirates will face the winner of Long Beach City Colege and San Diego Mesa College on Friday at Citrus College at 3:15 PM.  

Release by Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback