On to the OEC Finals

The Saddleback men's water polo team advanced to the Orange Empire Conference Finals with a 14-12 win over Orange Coast College on Thursday in Costa Mesa.  The Bobcats rallied from a deficit in the final quarter to hold off the Pirates.

Saddleback and Orange Coast were neck and neck for most of the game, with neither squad holding more than a three-goal lead at any point during the contest.  The Bobcats looked the most fresh down the stretch, scoring the final four goals of the game to advance to the conference finals.

Andrew Barnuevo had a game-high six goals in the game.  With Orange Coast leading 12-10 in the fourth, Barnuevo scored with 5:31 remaining to get the Bobcats within one.

Armand Le Goff scored the game-tying goal with 3:27 remaining as the momentum turned against an Orange Coast team that had to play a game earlier in the day.  Matthew Arellano scored the eventual game-winner with 2:19 remaining as Orange Coast went scoreless over the final 5:55 of the contest.   Saddleback's defense stifled the Pirates down the stretch, with goalie Elliot Cooper (pictured) making a number of big saves. 

Le Goff added another from the length of the pool with five seconds remaining for the final count of 14-12. 

Saddleback is now 23-4 overall and 5-1 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats will face Golden West College on Saturday afternoon in the conference finals.  The Bobcats and Rustlers are scheduled to start at 1:50 PM at Orange Coast College.