Community college women’s water polo: Pirates crowned as champs

In the Orange Empire Conference, no team can touch the Orange Coast

College women’s water polo team. The Pirates proved that statement true,

completing their undefeated run through the OEC with a 10-6 win over

Riverside City (28-4) in the conference title game at the University of

Redlands Saturday.

OCC’s Neisha Hoagland led all scorers with six goals, while Devon

Wright added two goals with five steals.

“The girls played well,” OCC assistant coach Mike Giles said. “(Erica)

Nicholson stuck to Riverside’s best player, Katie Davis, like glue, and

our whole sets were too strong for them.”

Coast (30-1), the No. 1 team in the state, also received big-time

performances from Christine McDonald and Katie Logan, who added a goal

apiece and recorded three steals each. Goalie Heather Deyden, a Newport

Harbor High product, anchored the defense and stopped five shots.

The Pirates will prepare for the Southern California Regional

Tournament, which starts Thursday.