Cats claw way into finals

The Saddleback women's water polo team advanced to the Orange Empire Conference Tournament finals with an 8-6 win over Orange Coast College on Thursday at Golden West College.  With the win, the Bobcats advanced to the tournament finals on Saturday.

Saddleback entered the game looking to avenge two losses to Orange Coast earlier in the season.  The Bobcats got their wishes, grabbing control of the game in the second quarter and keeping the Pirates in the rear-view mirror the rest of the way.

Saddleback trailed 2-1 late in the opening quarter when Lilian Wang scored with 3:33 left in the quarter to tie the game.  The Bobcats would score two more times in the opening 4.5 minutes of the second quarter to take a 4-2 lead and would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way.  Saddleback added to the lead late in the second quarter when Meetra Jabbour and Sabrina Barrot connected to give the Bobcats a 6-3 lead at the half.

Saddleback's defense was suffocating throughout, not allowing the Orange Coast offense much room to operate.  The Pirates closed to within one goal late in the third quarter before Julia Reid connected for her second goal of the game at the 4:19 mark to give the Bobcats a 7-5 advantage heading into the final quarter.  Barrott increased the lead back to three with her second goal to open the fourth quarter as the Bobcats cruised across the finish line.

Saddleback is now 19-10 overall and 5-2 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats will face Riverside City College in the finals on Saturday at 12:30 PM at Golden West.