Tigers Throttle Host American River and Santa Rosa Junior College to Start 2-0

SACRAMENTO -- Returning to the scene of last season's finale, the 2015 Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's water polo squad opened its season at the American River College (ARC) Tournament this weekend (Sept. 11-12) with a pair of wins.

The two-time defending state runner-up Tigers opened their season on Friday, Sept. 11, with a 17-4 win over the host American River College (ARC) Beavers in the ARC Tournament in an 8 a.m. game. RCC continued tournament action with a 23-2 win over the Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Bear Cubs in a 1:40 p.m. game.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Riverside (2-0 overall) will continue tournament action when it takes on the San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) Mustangs at 1:50 p.m.

Against ARC, frosh attacker Citlali Salazar (Eastvale / Eleanor Roosevelt HS '15) led the way for RCC with three goals and three assists. Frosh two-meter offensive player Emily Martin (Yucaipa / Yucaipa HS '15) also scored three goals. Sophomore goalie Kayla Chang (Laie, HI / Kahuku (Oahu) HS '14) -- who is pictured -- had three saves and frosh goalie Ariana Olmos (Redlands / Redlands East Valley HS '15) made two saves.

Against SRJC, the Tigers led, 8-0, after the first quarter, 18-0 at halftime and at the end of the third quarter. Eleven different Tigers scored, led by Martin, who had five goals and three assists. Chang made three saves and Olmos had two saves.

RCC head coach Doug Finfrock (UC Irvine '03) is in his third year at the helm of the Tigers. RCC assistant coach, Katie Teets (U. Hawai'i '13), a former member of RCC's state championship squad, is entering her third season as a RCC coach. Through his first two seasons, Finfrock's overall won-lost record is 55-11.

RCC will host its first home game on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when it greets the Santa Ana College Dons in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game at 3 p.m.

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