Golden West College beats Orange Coast College in Orange Empire Conference men’s water polo opener

The Golden West College men’s water polo team has continued where it left off last season.

The Rustlers won their 35th straight game dating back to last season, routing rival Orange Coast College 16-4 in an Orange Empire Conference opener at Golden West on Wednesday.

Golden West, which is 4-0 overall this year, is the defending California Community College Athletic Assn. State champion. The last time the Rustlers lost was in the state finale to Long Beach City College on Nov. 21, 2015.

The Rustlers, the defending conference champions, jumped on the Pirates (3-2), the designated home team, in the second quarter.

Vedran Latkovic scored one of his game-high four goals late in the first half, allowing Golden West to take a 7-2 lead.

Lachlan Trabinger, who finished with three goals, recorded a goal in a third quarter in which the Rustlers outscored OCC 4-0.

“I was pleased with our overall defensive efforts,” Golden West coach Scott Taylor said via email. “The team has been working hard and we are looking forward to the rest of our season.”

Goalie Nolan Strout made nine saves for Golden West. Alex Nathan and Ben Morrison had two steals apiece.

Golden West’s Conrad Napier, Guillermo Ocasio, Matheus Santos and Mason Reynoso each had two goals.

Eduardo Wainberg led the Pirates with two goals, while Gabriele Simonti and Jacob Petersen added a goal.

Golden West returns to action with a nonconference contest at Cuesta on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

The Pirates are at Occidental College in a nonconference game on Saturday at 4 p.m.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO

Orange Coast College 9, Golden West College 4

The Pirates handed the Rustlers their first setback of the season, coming in an Orange Empire Conference game on Wednesday.

OCC, the designated home team, improved to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in conference, and Golden West fell to 8-1 and 1-1.

david.carrillo@latimes.com

Twitter: @ByDCP