News Summary
The Orange Coast College men’s water polo team displayed impressive skills at the Orange Coast Tournament on October 10, 2025. After facing a tough loss against Golden West College, they rebounded with strong victories against LA Valley College and San Diego Mesa College, improving their overall record to 15-4. Coach Dan Matulis praised the team’s resilience and the leadership of sophomore Sawyer McCormick. The team is now focused on refining their strategies for upcoming matches.
Orange Coast College men’s water polo team showcased their skills during the Orange Coast Tournament held on October 10, 2025, with mixed results. The team initially faced a setback against Golden West College, concluding the match with a significant loss at 17-4. Despite the defeat, Coach Dan Matulis expressed pride in his team’s effort and emphasized the need for improvements moving forward. This loss, however, will not impact the team’s position in the Orange Empire Conference as it was part of a tournament and not a conference match.
In response to the initial loss, OCC rebounded convincingly against LA Valley College, winning the match with a final score of 18-5. The team took an early lead, concluding the first period with a score of 5-2, and maintained control throughout the game, emphasizing their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Sophomore attacker Sawyer McCormick was instrumental in this win, leading the team with four goals and one assist.
The team finished the tournament on a high note, decisively defeating San Diego Mesa College with an impressive score of 21-10. In this match, both Cade Zeilinger and Zack McCann made significant contributions by each scoring five goals. These victories improved OCC’s overall record to 15-4.
Coach Matulis highlighted McCormick’s contributions to the team, referring to him as a “leader who can do it all” and acknowledging his extensive experience. McCormick hails from Calgary, Alberta, where he developed a competitive swimming background and represented Canada in multiple national championships. Prior to joining OCC, he played for the Calgary Torpedoes, drawn to the water polo program by Coach Matulis.
Teammate Ben Hecht praised McCormick’s leadership and its positive effects on the team’s morale and performance. Looking to the future, McCormick aspires to continue his water polo career at a Division I school and aims to represent Team Canada in international competitions. Coach Matulis expressed gratitude for McCormick’s role within the team and acknowledged that his departure will leave a noticeable gap.
The Orange Coast College men’s water polo team remains focused on refining their skills and strategies in anticipation of their upcoming matches. Following an eventful tournament, they seek to build on their successes while becoming more competitive in future games.
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Additional Resources
- Coast Report: Article on Water Polo
- Wikipedia: Water Polo
- OC Register: Newport Harbor Girls Water Polo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Polo
- Pepperdine Waves: Dane Howell
- Google Search: Orange Coast College Water Polo
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
