Community college men’s water polo: Bucs lose on last-minute goal

COSTA MESA - In a game that featured 13 ties and lead changes, the

Fullerton College men’s water polo team struck the final blow in an

Orange Empire Conference game at Orange Coast Wednesday.

Kareem Captan scored with 28 seconds left to break an 8-8 tie, leading

to the Hornets’ 9-8 win over the Pirates (12-14, 3-3 in the OEC). Coast

had one final chance to force overtime, but a shot at the buzzer by Jeff

Sample bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Anthony Spezza scored a game-high six goals, while Kyle Gorham and

Sample added one each. OCC goalie Graham Harvey recorded nine saves.

Fullerton improved to 15-7, 4-2.

The Pirates return to action Friday at 11 a.m., when they open play in

the Saddleback Tournament against El Camino at El Toro High School. OCC

will then take on Saddleback at 3 p.m.

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Fullerton 9, Orange Coast 8

Fullerton 2 4 2 1 - 9

Orange Coast 3 3 0 2 - 8

F - Stupina 3, Pacheco 3, Ramirez 1, Foley 1, Captan 1. Saves -

DeGrasse 9.

OCC - Spezza 6, Gorham 1, Sample 1. Saves - Harvey 9.