COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Courter’s Hat Trick Sparks OCC to a 5-2 Soccer Victory

Darin Courter scored three goals to lead Orange Coast College to a 5-2 victory over Golden West in an Orange Empire Conference men’s soccer game Tuesday at Golden West.

Courter had two goals in the first half as OCC (5-4-1, 2-0-1 in conference) led, 2-1. Courter, Cesar Ovando and Andy Strouse scored in the second half for OCC, the defending state champion.

Jed Smith and Jason Merkel scored for Golden West (3-6-1, 0-2-1).

In other Orange Empire Conference men’s soccer:

Rancho Santiago 4, Fullerton 1--Cameron Hull scored in the first half for host Fullerton (3-6-2, 1-1-1). Rancho Santiago (3-0) is in first place in conference.

Cypress 0, Riverside 0--Lee Milton had seven saves and Joe Dillman, who played part of the second half in goal, had five as host Cypress (4-2-2, 2-0-1) and Riverside (2-4-4, 0-2-1) tied.

In Orange Empire Conference water polo:

Orange Coast 20, Palomar 9--Ken Nickel and Bill Nickel each scored six goals to lead the Pirates (15-3, 5-0) at OCC.

In nonconference water polo:

Cerritos 13, Cypress 12--Brian Pickler scored four goals to lead Cerritos at Cypress. Gabriel Martinez scored four goals for Cypress (9-5).

In nonconference women’s soccer:

Golden West 4, Cypress 0--Leanna Jay scored three goals and Lisa Johnson scored the other for Golden West (3-4-1) in the victory over Cypress’ club team.