Golden West College's top-seeded men's water polo team edged out the three seeded Long Beach City College Vikings squad in a thrilling 8-5 victory during the 3C2A state championship semi-finals on friday afternoon, in Long Beach, CA. The Rustlers showcased their championship pedigree, overcoming an early deficit and dominating the second half to secure their spot in the final.

Long Beach took an early lead in the first quarter, with Colley Ochoa and Sandro Pueyo finding the net to put the Vikings up 2-0. However, Golden West responded in the second quarter with goals from Ethan Carrington and Michael Rodgers to level the score at halftime, 2-2.

The Rustlers began to assert their dominance in the third quarter. Carrington struck again to give Golden West its first lead at 3-2. Long Beach fought back with goals from Andrija Stankovic and Thomaz Figueiredo, briefly regaining the advantage at 4-3. But Golden West answered with unassisted goals by Neven Cerkez and another by Rodgers, assisted by Jack Wright, reclaiming the lead at 5-4 entering the final quarter.

Golden West's defense shined in the fourth, limiting Long Beach to a single goal from Pueyo. Meanwhile, the Rustlers pulled away with crucial goals by Cerkez, Zeno Kormendi, and Tomas De Luca, sealing the 8-5 victory.