Mission Viejo, Calif. - The No. 1 Golden West (26-0, 5-0) men's water polo team took down the Riverside Tigers (18-9, 3-2) 17-8 to be crowned 2016 Orange Empire Champions.
With the win, Golden West remains unbeaten at 26-0 overall on the season and maintains the No. 1 spot going into the Southern California Regional Playoffs.
The Rustlers came out ready to bring home the championship against Riverside City College and jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter. Tom McJannett netted the first two goals of the game followed by teammates James Smith, Alex Nathan, Rowan Farrell, and Peter Lovas with a goal apiece.
Golden West kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second quarter as they built their halftime lead to 11-2. The offense was paced by a slew of Rustlers as Jake Moss and Nathan each netted three goals apiece. Ben Morrison, Smith and McJannett finished the game with two goals apiece.
The Rustlers would go on to win their 28th consecutive OEC title by the final score of 17-8 over Riverside.
