Pirates pull away from Bobcats, 15-7
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saddleback (7-7, 1-1) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
|
Orange Coast (13-3, 3-0) | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 |
COSTA MESA -- One key, goal-scoring outburst was a difference-maker for the Orange Coast College men's water polo team as the Pirates toppled visiting Saddleback, 15-7, on Wednesday in an Orange Empire Conference matchup inside the OCC Aquatics Pavilion.
A first-half nail-biter shifted into cruise control for the Pirates (13-3, 3-0 in the OEC) as they scored six straight goals to turn a 4-4 tie into a 10-4 OCC advantage midway through the third quarter.
Saddleback (7-7, 1-1) got the guests to within four at 10-6 with back-to-back goals, but Coast erased any hopes of a Bobcat comeback by closing things out with a 5-1 run.
Ben Hecht led the Pirates with three goals, four assists and two steals, while Cade Zeilinger added three goals and three assists. Sawyer McCormick dished out three assists and scored a goal, while Otis McAdams, Stan Schuring and Jack McCann each scored twice.
That would be plenty offense for OCC goalie, Gage Fojtasek, who earned the win with a 10-save performance.
The Pirates will host their own mini-tournament, beginning on Friday as they host rival Golden West, beginning at 8 a.m. OCC will then take on L.A. Valley at 10:30 a.m., followed by San Diego Mesa at 3:20 p.m.
