Rustlers Tame Cats in OEC Action

The Golden West College men's water polo team continued their dominant run with a 21-11 victory over Saddleback College at home, improving their record to 8-0 (2-0 in conference play). Saddleback, now 2-5 (1-1), opened the scoring with a goal from Cross Viter, but Golden West responded with a flurry of goals and never looked back.

In the first quarter, Golden West's Dan Ibbotson quickly tied the game with an assist from Cody Chastain, and the team surged ahead with goals from Chastain, Edward Handley, Gavin Little, and Tomas De Luca, ending the quarter up 6-2.

The Rustlers extended their lead in the second quarter with four more unanswered goals, including two from Jack Wright. Saddleback's Viter and Tyler Kiklas added goals, but Golden West's Tomas De Luca and Antonio Doria each netted one more to close out the half with a commanding 12-5 lead.

Golden West dominated the third quarter as well, outscoring Saddleback 7-2, highlighted by goals from Gavin Little and Timothy Lonnqvist. Despite some late resistance from Saddleback's Armand Le Goff and Viter, who combined for several goals, Golden West's depth was too much to handle. The fourth quarter saw Saddleback put up a fight with four goals, but the Rustlers capped off the win with Antonio Doria's final score, securing the 21-11 victory.

Gavin Little led Golden West with four goals and two assists, while Tomas De Luca added three goals. Saddleback's Cross Viter led all scorers with five goals, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of Golden West, who had 12 players contribute to the scoreline.

Golden West's goalkeepers combined for 11 saves, with Pablo Souza recording six in two quarters of play. Saddleback's goalies, Samuel van Benten and Trae Mantecon, managed just four saves on 25 shots.