The Golden West College men's water polo team held on for a 9-7 win against Orange Coast College on Saturday in the Orange Empire Conference Finals at Golden West. The Rustlers now head to the CCCAA Southern California Regional Tournament this coming week.

Golden West has been one of the top teams in the region for the entire season and now will get a chance to show off its stuff as the OEC champions after defending its regular season title with a win on Saturday. The Rustlers opened with a 17-7 win against Saddleback College on Thursday before beating inter-district rival Orange Coast College in the finals on Saturday, 9-7.

Golden West has won eight straight games dating back to October 23 and has only lost to one program all season, Long Beach City College. The Rustlers came up short to LBCC by one goal on two occasions and lost by three early in the season.

Golden West is likely to be the No. 2 seed for the upcoming tournament, which takes place at Riverside City College starting Thursday.

(Release by Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback SID)