Cats take down #8 Rustlers

The Saddleback women's water polo team picked up its biggest win of the season with a 16-15 victory over No. 8 Golden West College on Wednesday afternoon inside the Saddleback Aquatics Center.  The Bobcats remain in a tie for second place with the win.

Saddleback was facing a Golden West team that was ranked No. 8 in the state and searching for a win after losing its last two Orange Empire Conference games.  The Bobcats kept the Rustlers searching for answers with an exciting come-from-behind win in the final minute.

Saddleback and Golden West went back and forth, with neither team ever leading by more than two goals the entire game.  The Bobcats trailed 15-14 late in the fourth quarter when they scored twice in the final 32 seconds to grab the win.

Lily Padilla scored the tying goal with 32 seconds remaining for her team-leading fourth goal of the game to even the score at 15-15.  The Bobcats then made a stop and went down the pool and scored with nine seconds remaining when Hannah Goering scored her only goal of the game to give the Bobcats the lead.

Saddleback held on for the final nine seconds as Golden West got off one shot that was easily stopped by goalkeeper Megan Parsley.

Saddleback is now above .500 at 9-8 overall and 2-1 in Orange Empire Conference play following the win.  The Bobcats are tied for second place with Riverside City College, one game back of Orange Coast College in the standings.  Despite the lofty ranking, the Rustlers dropped all the way into fifth place in the standings with the loss.

Saddleback will host Fullerton College (14-8, 2-2) next Wednesday at 1:00 PM inside the Saddleback Aquatics Center.  The Hornets are ranked No. 7 in the latest state rankings.