Dons Surrender Early Lead in Loss to Saddleback

Dons Surrender Early Lead in Loss to Saddleback

The Santa Ana College (SAC) men's water polo team lost to visiting Saddleback College 14-10 in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) match. The loss drops the Dons to 1-8 overall and 0-3 in OEC play while Saddleback improves to 5-6 and 1-2 in conference.

Anthony Lopez opened the game with a goal before Saddleback tied it at 1-1. Conrad Stargur scored to put the Dons up 2-1 before Lopez' second goal gave the Dons a 3-1 lead.

The Gauchos were able to come back and tie the game at 3-3 before Sean Newport put SAC up 4-3 at the end of the first quarter. Lopez scored again to open the second quarter to put the Dons up 5-3 before the Gauchos scored three-straight to take a 6-5 lead into half time.

Tim Jennings opened the second half with a goal for the Dons to even the score at 6-6 before Saddleback retook the lead at 8-6. Stargur and Lopez answered with a goal apiece to tie the game at 8-8 going into the fourth quarter.

The Gauchos dominated the final frame outscoring the Dons 6-2 on their way to the 14-10 victory. The Dons got goals from Stargur and Brian Shield in the quarter but it was not enough to overtake Saddleback.