Men’s water polo: Pirates hang on

COSTA MESA - Scott Butler and Luke Alvarado each scored two goals

to lead Orange Coast College men’s water polo team to a 7-6 Orange Empire

Conference win over visiting Riverside Friday.

“It was a tough win for us,” Coach Chris Oeding said. “Shots weren’t

going our way and we had numerous ejections today. Our five-man defense

really won the game for us today.”

With the win Coast (19-5-1, 3-0 in conference) captured the

round-robin conference title and the No. 1 seed going into the OEC

Championships next week.

Before the conference tournament, the Pirates will do battle in the

Saddleback Water Polo Tournament today and Saturday.

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Orange Coast 7, Riverside 6

Riverside 2 1 2 1 - 6

Orange Coast 2 2 1 2 - 7

OCC: Butler 2, Alvarado 2, Becker 1, Jacoby 1, Leeper 1. Saves: Oliver 7.

RCC: Payne 2, Rosa 2, Merryman 1, Vargas 1. Saves: Linton 9.