WHITTIER, CA — The University of La Verne men's water polo team went on a 4-0 run in the second quarter and pulled away from the Whittier College Poets to win 15-10 on the road Wednesday night.
Peter Trinh led the Leopards with five goals to extend his SCIAC-leading total to 70 goals.
Ryan Beery scored three goals and dished out a pair of assists to go with a steal.
David Gutierrez recorded three key goals.
Jordan Baker had a great all-around performance totaling four assists, three steals, and two goals.
"Credit the win to great team defense. We had a specific game plan for their key players. While it was a shaky first quarter, we locked in during the second quarter," said La Verne men's water polo head coach
Pat Beemer"
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Leopards ended the second period down 5-4. That's when Trinh got the Leopards' run started when he drilled a penalty shot to even the score 5-5. Beery put the La Verne up when he scored two minutes later and the Gutierrez continued the run with another goal with just over three minutes left in the period. Berry capped the half when he scored with just 13 seconds remaining in the period to give La Verne an 8-5 lead at the break.
The Leopards outscored the Poets 7-5 in the second half to come away with the win.
Eric Bates led the Leopards in the cage, recording four saves.
Nicolo Buono scored twice and had one steal.
Sawyer Nering added two saves of his own.
"Gutierrez really established himself at 2-meters. Freshmen Baker and Buono were dynamic, and we had an outstanding performance by our senior captain
Peter Trinh," said Beemer.
La Verne improves to 3-14 overall and 2-3 in the SCIAC. The Poets drop to 1-15 overall and 1-5 in the SCIAC.
The Leopards return to action at home Saturday against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 11 a.m.
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