LOS ANGELES — Timely goals, big-time field blocks, and clutch saves made the difference in a wild finish Saturday afternoon in Eagle Rock. The University of La Verne men's water polo team erased a three-goal fourth-quarter deficit and beat the Occidental College Tigers 15-14 in overtime to bolster their SCIAC Postseason Tournament chances.

Nicolo Buono made a massive difference down low, scoring a career-high six goals. Peter Trinh added three goals and had a massive defensive performance with four field blocks including two in the fourth quarter to give the Leopards a chance to win. 

In the second overtime period out of a timeout with a six-on-five advantage, the Leopards set up with a chance to take the lead. Jordan Baker grabbed a pass and drew a defender, leaving Trinh open. Baker offloaded to Trinh who hammered in the game-winning goal.

The Leopards outscored Occidental 6-3 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. La Verne has won five of its last seven contests.

"Our defensive game plan was to funnel shots in a predictable manner and we got away from it in the third quarter. We refocused in the fourth and stayed within ourselves to force OT. The momentum stayed with us going into overtime. Bates was huge and Trinh had clutch field blocks through the stretch," said La Verne head water polo coach Pat Beemer.

Bates finished with eight saves. Sawyer Nering finished with two goals and two assists. Alam Chang-Barnuevo scored twice and David Gutierrez added one goal. Eric Bates grabbed eight saves

Down 10-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Leopards quickly cut the deficit to one off back-to-back Gutierrez to Buono connections. 

Trailing 13-11 with under three minutes left to play, Baker fired a shot past the keeper to put the Leopards within one possession. On the other end of the pool, Trinh followed with the defensive play of the game with a massive field block to prevent the Tigers from extending their lead.

The stop gave the Leopards a chance to tie, and Nering came through with the equalizer with 1:55 to play. Chang-Barnuevo kept up the defensive pressure with a steal on Occidental's next possession to preserve the stalemate. A save by Bates sent the Leopards to overtime for the second time this season.

After the Tigers regained the lead halfway through the first overtime period, Buono evened the game with his sixth goal. The sophomore from Palm Desert got behind his defender, Nering floated him a pass, and Buono fired it past the goalie.

The Leopards improve to 7-14 overall and 2-3 in the SCIAC.

La Verne heads to Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesady, October 23 at 7 p.m.