Rustlers Open Season with a Strong Statement
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8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 |
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5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 19 |
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Team Stats
Southwestern
LA Valley
San Diego Mesa
Orange Coast
Huntington Beach, Calif. – The Golden West College men's water polo team, winners of eight straight state championships, opened the 2025 season with a perfect 4-0 record at the Golden West Invitational on September 12-13. The Rustlers combined explosive offense with a stingy defense across the two-day tournament, earning victories over Southwestern, LA Valley, San Diego Mesa, and rival Orange Coast.
Golden West opened the tournament Friday morning with a commanding 19-5 win over Southwestern College. The Rustlers jumped out to an 8-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back, paced by four goals from Gavin Abbott and three from Gavin Templeton. Talan Costello added three goals, while goalkeeper Boston Frost anchored a balanced defensive effort.
Later that afternoon, the Rustlers kept rolling with a 19-4 victory over LA Valley College. Michael Rodgers led the charge with four goals, while Lucca Van Der Woude netted three. Jack Wright and Ryder Tonkovich each chipped in two goals, and Golden West's defense held LA Valley scoreless in the third quarter to secure the win.
Saturday's action began with an explosive offensive showing in a 20-7 win over San Diego Mesa. Mano Molnar scored three goals and added an assist, while Lucca Van Der Woude matched him with three scores of his own. Joao Goncalves dished out three assists to fuel the attack, and Gavin Abbott found the back of the net twice in the fourth quarter to help close out the Olympians.
The Rustlers capped the weekend with a statement win over local rival Orange Coast College, 12-4. Molnar again starred with three goals, while Rodgers added two. Golden West controlled the tempo in the second half, outscoring the Pirates 8-2 behind key tallies from Templeton, Van Der Woude, and Abbott.
Golden West improves to 4-0 overall on the season with the sweep. The Rustlers will look to carry their early momentum into tomorrow's action against NCAA Divsion I Long Beach State at 9am and then against Long Beach City College at 12pm all held at Long Beach City College Aquatic Center.