Cats celebrate record-breaking win

The Saddleback women's water polo team opened the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Regional Playoffs with a 17-9 win against Cypress College on Thursday at Long Beach City College.  It was a program-record 19^th win for the team this season.

It's been a big week for Saddleback.  The Bobcats qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 17 years on Sunday and now they have a new record in the books after recording the 19^th win of the season on Thursday.

Saddleback scored the first four goals of the game and had a 12-3 lead at the half against fellow Orange Empire Conference foe Cypress College.  Akemi Nakachi (pictured) had five goals in the half while increasing her team lead in goals to 57 for the year. 

Saddleback opened up its biggest lead of the game in the third quarter when it scored three straight goals for a 16-5 advantage with 3:51 remaining in the quarter.  The Bobcats then took their foot off the gas pedal with the game well in hand and another contest coming up tomorrow.

Saddleback advanced to the Southern California Regional Quarterfinals with the win where they will face fellow Orange Empire Conference opponent, Orange Coast College.  The Bobcats and Pirates are set to start on Friday at 11:30 AM at Long Beach City College. 

The 19^th win on Thursday eclipsed an old record of 18 wins set in 1999.  It also marked the first time the program has advanced to the regional quarterfinals since 2005.  Saddleback has never advanced past the regional quarterfinals.