Saddleback Holds Off Riverside to Win Conference Tournament

Saddleback held off a late rally and defeated Riverside, 6-4, in the Orange Empire Conference men’s water polo tournament final Saturday at Riverside.

Saddleback (25-6) led at halftime, 3-1, after Brian Weathersby’s two-point goal.

Riverside (24-8-2) pulled to within 4-3 early in the fourth quarter before Saddleback’s Josh Drysol scored a two-point goal with 1:21 remaining to seal the victory.

In other games:

Orange Coast 12, Palomar 11 (OT)--Rob McLaire and Ryan Swanson scored in overtime for Orange Coast (11-15-1) in the fifth-place game.

Cypress 13, Santa Ana 10--Lance Hoffman scored six goals for Cypress (14-15-1) in the seventh-place game.

In the South Coast Conference tournament final:

Golden West 14, Fullerton 4--Adriano Marsili scored four goals and Andre Pedroni three for host Golden West (28-1-1). Alex Stupin scored three goals for Fullerton (18-9-1).

In the Orange Empire Conference women’s tournament:

Orange Coast 10, Riverside 3--Erin Murphy scored three goals and Ariana Lindren and Nerissa Reidenbaugh each scored two for Orange Coast (26-3) in the final.

Saddleback 7, San Diego Mesa 6--Brianna Foulds scored seven goals for Saddleback (15-11-2) in the fifth-place game.

In the South Coast Conference tournament:

Golden West 17, Mt. San Antonio 4--Melody Warren scored six goals and teammates Sharon Vanderpas (Fountain Valley High) and Chelsea Rowlands (Capistrano Valley High) each scored four for the host Rustlers (27-0-1) in the final.

Mt. SAC is 13-12-1.

In the third-place game:

Long Beach 15, Fullerton 14--Katie Hayden (Esperanza High) scored nine goals, including one two-pointer, for Fullerton (10-19).