Lasers Catch Gauchos For Lead in Conference Standings

Irvine Valley climbed back into a tie for first place in the Orange Empire Conference standings with Saddleback following the Lasers' 11-stroke victory over the Gauchos on Monday at the Royal Vista course in Walnut.

Irvine Valley posted a team score of 327 to edge out Saddleback (338) while Fullerton placed third (351) and Orange Coast finished fourth (355).  Host Mt. San Antonio College, which won the previous OEC match held at Oak Creek with a score of 342, slipped to fifth with a score of 364 at Royal Vista.

Marisa Bhanubandh of Irvine Valley was the event medalist with a 3-over-par 74 while teammate Araceli Esquivel finished second with a 79.  Saddleback teammates Deanna Pagaduan and Mekenzie Purcell each carded 83's for the Gauchos, as did Tiffany Lin of Mt. San Antonio.  Irvine Valley's surprise score came from Alex McLachlan who shot 16 strokes better than her season average to post an 84 on Monday, helping her team overcome a  Saddleback team which counted four scores in the mid-80's.

Calyn Hockerson of Orange Coast and Gwen Bates of Fullerton also shot 84's on the afternoon.

The teams play their final regular-season conference match on Wednesday at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo (hosted by Saddleback College) starting at 11:00 a.m.  The conference championship will be played on Monday, October 31 (Alta Vista) and Wednesday, November 2 (Los Serranos - North).

Irvine Valley - 327
Saddleback - 338
Fullerton - 351
Orange Coast - 355
Mt. San Antonio - 364

Individuals:
Marisa Bhanubandh, IVC - 74
Araceli Esquivel, IVC - 79
Deanna Pagaduan, SADD - 83
Mekenzie Purcell, SADD - 83
Tiffany Lin, Mt. SAC - 83