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.