Golden West Wins Water Polo Title

Golden West College beat top-ranked Rancho Santiago, 9-8, at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo Saturday to earn the state community college water polo championship for the seventh time in eight years.

The Rustlers (20-6) trailed by two goals several times and didn’tlead until the fourth period. But Golden West goalie Jorge Garcia compiled nine blocks in the second half, including six in the final period. The winning goal was scored by Brian Brotherton with 2:35 left.

The Dons (28-2), champions of the Inland Conference, have never won a state title, but were considered the favorites entering the match. Both of their losses were to Golden West. The Rustlers, co-champions of the South Coast Conference, entered the match ranked sixth in Southern California.

Golden West’s Geoff Gruber was the leading scorer with four goals. Teammate Mark Wicks had his first two-goal match. The Dons’ Greg Lapointe and Charles Sommer each scored twice.