OCC Looks to Keep Streak Alive Against Santa Ana

Orange Coast College continues its surprising quest for a Mission Conference Central Division championship when the Pirates visit Santa Ana at 1 p.m. today at Santa Ana Stadium.

Orange Coast (4-3, 2-0 in division play), picked in a preseason poll to finish fifth, is in first place after winning its last four games, two against division opponents. The Pirates, who scored nine points in losing their first three games but have averaged 32.75 since, last won a division title in 1990.

Orange Coast linebackers Justin Blackard, Dustin Davis and Martin Janzon combined for 66 tackles in a 22-17 victory over Palomar last week--a victory that left the Pirates as the only team without a division loss.

Santa Ana, the defending division champion, has struggled this season. The Dons gave up 19 fourth-quarter points and squeaked by Golden West, 33-28, last week.

Saddleback (2-5, 1-1) and Palomar (4-3, 1-1) meet at Saddleback at 7 tonight in a game both sides feel is a must win in order to keep hopes alive for a division title.

Fullerton (2-5, 1-1) shouldn’t have much of a problem with Golden West (0-7, 0-2) at 7 tonight at Orange Coast.

--PETER YOON

WATER POLO

UC Irvine moved up two spots to No. 3 in the national coaches’ poll this week. The Anteaters (14-5), who have been ranked as high as No. 2 this season, play today at No. 8 UC San Diego and Sunday at No. 7 Pepperdine. Both games are at noon. UCLA retains the nation’s No. 1 ranking, followed by USC.

SOCCER

Junior midfielder Jon Spencer of UC Irvine was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s soccer player of the week. He scored both goals in the Anteaters’ 2-1 victory over New Mexico on Sunday, helping Irvine clinch its first conference playoff berth.

* Vanguard freshman Esaul Mendoza, formerly of Estancia High, was named NAIA Region 2 player of the week for scoring three goals in leading the 15th-ranked Lions past Fresno Pacific, 5-3, last week.

SWIMMING

Olympic medalists Aaron Peirsol and Jason Lezak will greet the public beginning at 11 a.m. today at Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club in Fountain Valley.

Peirsol, a student at Newport Harbor High, won a silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke in Sydney. Lezak, a graduate of Irvine High, won gold in the 400 medley relay and silver in the 400 freestyle relay. For information, call (714) 546-8560.