Bucs KO’d

The Orange Coast College women’s water polo team isn’t used to the

losing feeling, but that’s exactly what they experienced for the

first time in nearly two years against a junior college opponent

Saturday.

In a close game, Sierra College defeated OCC, 7-6, Saturday at the

Cypress College Women’s Invitational Water Polo Tournament, giving

the Bucs their first loss of 2002 and the first loss for an OCC

women’s water polo team against a junior college foe since losing to

Golden West, 13-3, in November 2000 at the state finals.

Last season OCC went 35-0 against junior college teams en route to

the state championship. The Pirates lost to UC Irvine, an

NCAA-Division I opponent.

A 2-1 edge in the fourth period was decisive.

Erica Nicholson and Nicole Sonnenfeld each scored two goals for

Coast as Shari Meyer and Sara Natalizio added one goal apiece for the

Pirate women.

OCC goaltender Heather Deyden made four saves.

The Pirates rebounded in their final game of the tournament

Saturday, knocking off Cerritos, 5-0.