Tigers Lose OEC Championships Final, 9-8, to Fullerton Saturday; Await Playoff Berth Next Weekend

MISSION VIEJO -- Getting upset by the No. 3 seed in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championships final, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's water polo squad lost, 9-8, to the Fullerton College Hornets Saturday (Nov. 5).

This weekend's (Nov. 3, 5) OEC Championships were held at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

Riverside City (26-2 overall, 6-0 in OEC regular season action) was making its fourth appearance in the OEC Championship final in as many seasons under its current head coach, and was seeking its second consecutive OEC championship.

RCC led, 3-2, at the end of the first quarter and at halftime before Fullerton outrscored the Tigers, 4-3, in the third quarter to forge a 6-6 tie heading in the fourth quarter.

Against Fullerton, RCC sophomore attacker Mary Myers (Riverside / M.L. King HS '15) led with four goals and five steals. Sophomore goalkeeper Ariana Olmos (Redlands / Redlands East Valley HS '15) -- who is pictured -- had ten saves.

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Heading into next weekend's California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) South Regional Playoffs, RCC fourth-year head women's water polo coach Doug Finfrock brings an overall record of 107-17, 7-1 OEC (2013-15: 81-15 overall, 18-3 OEC); 2015: 26-4, 7-0 OEC, 1^st place; 2014: 27-6 overall, 6-2 OEC, 2^nd place; 2013: 28-5, 5-1 OEC, 2^nd place.

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