Tigers Win Twice to Claim Orange Empire Conference Championship; Seek Regional Playoff Berth

RIVERSIDE --Posting a pair of victories in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championship Tournament over the weekend, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's water polo team won the OEC crown, thanks, in part, to a double-overtime win at home Saturday.

Riverside hosted the OEC Championships last week (Nov. 5-7) at RCC's Riverside Aquatics Center (built in 2011).

RCC (22-3 overall, 7-0 OEC) defeated the Orange Coast College (OCC) Pirates, 15-5, last Thursday (Nov. 5). OCC (8-13, 2-5 OEC) reached the OEC semifinal with a win over Saddleback earlier in the day.

The Tigers advanced to the OEC Championship final and defeated the Fullerton College Hornets, 12-9, in double overtime last Saturday (Nov. 7).

The OEC standings are as follows: Riverside (22-3, 7-0 OEC), Fullerton (23-4 overall, 5-2 OEC), Golden West (15-6 overall, 4-3 OEC), Saddleback, Orange Coast, and Cypress (10-16 overall, 0-6 OEC). Santa Ana did not field a team this season

RCC finished a conference schedule undefeated for the first time since 2010. Riverside also went 5-0 in OEC action in 2010 en route to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) championship (32-0 overall record).

In the OEC Championship game against Fullerton, RCC led, 2-1, after the first quarter before the Hornets forged a 3-2 lead at halftime. RCC trailed, 5-4, after three periods before the Tigers sent the game into extra sessions tied at 8-8 after regulation.

In the extra stanzas, RCC led, 11-9, after the first OT before winning, 12-9, in double OT.

In the win over Fullerton, frosh attacker Sarina Briseno (Riverside / Poly HS '15) led RCC with four goals, one assist and two steals, Frosh two-meter offensive player Emily Martin (Yucaipa / Yucaipa HS '15) -- who is pictured -- added three goals.

Frosh attacker Mary Myers (Riverside / M.L. King HS '15) chipped in with two goals, two assists and added five steals. Sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Chang (Laie, Oahu, HI / Kahuku HS '13) went the distance and logged seven saves.

Against Orange Coast, Riverside led, 4-0, after the first quarter and cruised from there, leading 6-2 at halftime and 10-5 after three cantos.

Martin led RCC with seven goals and two steals. Meyers added four goals, one assist and eight steals. Briseno contributed one goal, six assists and five steals. Chang went the distance in goal and recorded eight saves and one assist.

Riverside expects to receive a high seed, either No. 1 or No. 2, when the CCCAA South Regional Championship berths are announced on Monday, Nov. 9. Mt. San Antonio College will host both the men's and women's regional tournaments which begin this Thursday, Nov. 12.

RCC third-year head coach Doug Finfrock brings an overall record of 77-14 heading into this week's playoffs.

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