Gauchos split at OEC Tourney

The Saddleback women's water polo team split two games on Friday at the Orange Empire Conference Tournament at Cypress College. The Gauchos will play for fifth place on Saturday.

Saddleback had a tall task in game one in playing perennial power Golden West out of the gate.  The Gauchos came up short, falling to the Rustlers 12-3 and falling into the loser's bracket as a result.  Saddleback made up for the loss with a dominating 20-8 win over Santa Ana College in the afternoon session.

Golden West sprinted to a 5-1 lead in the opening quarter and led 7-2 at the half of the opening game.  Saddleback scored lone goals in the first three quarters but were unable to get any closer than five the rest of the way.

The second game had a different feel playing a Santa Ana squad that remains winless on the season.  Saddleback had a 7-0 lead after one quarter and finished with 39 shots for the game.  LeAnna Cosme (pictured) led the Gauchos in scoring with five goals in the game on 10 shots.

Saddleback will play Cypress College in the fifth place game on Saturday at 9:50 AM.