Southern California Regional Water Polo Championships : Golden West to Face Long Beach in Final

Golden West College defeated Saddleback, 13-8, Friday at Long Beach’s Belmont Plaza Pool to earn a spot in the Southern California community college regional water polo final.

Golden West will play Long Beach, the top-ranked team in the state, for the regional championship at 7:30 tonight at Belmont Plaza. Both teams have qualified for the state tournament, which will be held next weekend at Belmont Plaza.

Long Beach defeated Cuesta, 16-9, in the other semifinal and L.A. Valley, 16-6, in the first round Friday.

Long Beach (23-1), which is the defending state champion, has won four of its five meetings with Golden West (20-5) this season.

Scott Larsen had four goals and Jeff Wines three for Golden West, which opened a 10-6 halftime lead. Craig Douglas and Arn Van Dyke scored two each for Golden West. Rustler goalie Tim Bogdonovich had 11 saves.

Dave Knox and Denny Bethke had three goals each and John Dennis had two for Saddleback. Goalie Vic Bakkila had 11 saves.

In the first round Friday, Saddleback defeated Santa Monica, 12-6, and Golden West beat Citrus, 17-7. Saddleback (23-4) plays Cuesta in the consolation game tonight at 6.