SANTA ANA - Since 1994, the Dons have only lost two or more Orange Empire Conference (OEC) games in a season three times. Following their 1-0 loss to Golden West College today, the Dons have matched that feat with two losses in just the first round of conference play.

That streak also represents the Dons 18 consecutive Orange Empire Conference championships. A streak that just got more difficult to extend as Golden West now holds a six-point lead over the second-place Dons.

The deciding goal today's game came in the 72nd minute when Dons goalkeeper Jose Garcia was given a yellow card for a foul in the box, setting up a penalty kick. Jaime Rios converted that penalty kick and the Rustlers rode that 1-0 lead all the way to victory.

Garcia, despite that goal, was a large part why the Dons remained in the game late as he made five saves in the game. On the other side of the field, Antonio Flores was forced to make just two saves in the first half before giving way to Diego Chacon who made two saves in the second half.

The only time the Dons have lost more than two OEC games during their current streak happened last season when Golden West defeated the Dons 1-0 in the final game of the season. That loss, however, came one game after the Dons had already wrapped up their 18th consecutive conference championship.