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2012 Women's Water Polo Orange Empire Conference Champions

2012 Women's Water Polo Orange Empire Conference Champions

The Rustlers sealed their uncontested season with a victory over Fullerton to be crowned the Orange Empire Conference Champions Saturday.  This is the first conference title for women's water polo since 2003. The women finished their undefeated season with wins against Orange Coast College 12-5 on Friday, and a 13-6 win over Fullerton for the championship on Saturday.  

Golden West was the first to score in the championship game, but Fullerton was not going to hand the Rustlers the win. At the end of the first quarter, Golden West had a lead of 3-2. And by half time, the score was tied 4-4. 

The women starting the second half taking the lead and never looked back, scoring 6 goals in the third quarter. The defense held the Hornets from stinging back for the rest of the game, only allowing them to score twice in the second half.  The Rustlers took the championship with a final score of 13-6.

A total of seven women scored for the Rustlers, including Melissa Bergesen, Alexandria Loveless and Gabi Mantellato who each scored 3 goals in the game. 

The women's victory has secure their No. 1 seed in the Southern California Championship game at Fullerton. The women play at 10:15 on Friday Nov. 9th and on Saturday the  10th at 8:30am and 2:45pm.

Congratulations again to the women of Golden West water polo, 2012 OEC Champions.