Gauchos handle DVC in SI opener

The Saddleback men's water polo team opened the Saddleback Invitational with an 11-5 win over Diablo Valley College at the Saddleback Aquatics Center.  The Gauchos are now 11-3 on the season.

Saddleback improved its winning streak to four games on Friday with the win over Diablo Valley, and it did it with suffocating defense.  The Gauchos allowed more than one goal in only one quarter while wearing out the Vikings.

Saddleback had a 5-2 lead at halftime, with five different Gauchos scoring.  Diablo Valley cut the lead to 6-4 midway through the third quarter before the Gauchos made a run.  Oscar Lopez and Keeon Jabbour (pictured) scored in the final 1:03 of the quarter to give Saddleback an 8-4 lead with eight minutes remaining. 

Diablo Valley scored the opening goal of the fourth quarter at the 6:48 mark when Max Murphy cut the Saddleback lead to 8-5.  The Gauchos responded with three of their own as Jabbour, James Martin and Joshua Mourer closed the door on the Vikings.  Jabbour and Mourer finished with a team-high three goals apiece.

Saddleback will play again on Friday when it hosts Merced College at 5:10 PM. 

Scores from earlier in the day at the Saddleback Invitational included:

Modesto 15, Miramar 11
Santa Monica 18, Las Positas 6
El Camino 12, Merced 6