LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's soccer team beat Chapman 2-0 in a critical game to keep their SCIAC Tournament chances alive. 

Beginning this season, the top five teams in the SCIAC advance to the postseason. The Leopards are currently in sixth place with 10 points and two conference games remaining. La Verne will need to win its final two games for a chance to qualify for the tournament. Cal Lutheran and Chapman are currently tied for fourth place with 14 points.

The Leopards played one of their most impressive and complete games of the season in the shutout. Tied 0-0 entering the final minute of the half, La Verne mounted a final attack. Alexander Bastidas took a hard shot that flew by the keeper and ricocheted off the far post. Adan Villarreal charged in and knocked in the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

The momentum rolled right into the second half as it took the Leopards just over eight minutes out of the break to double the lead. Villarreal attacked down the sideline, drove toward the goal, drew the goalie's attention, and then tapped a pass toward the center of the goal. Angel Loza split a pair of defenders and poked a shot to the back of the net. Villarreal currently ranks fifth in the SCIAC with eight goals and sixth with 18 points.

The Panthers had their chances. With six minutes to play in the first half, Diego Perez banked a shot off the post, and four minutes into the second half, Ben Fraser hit the post and keeper Logan Reese jumped on the loose ball. Reese finished the game with four saves and turned away 18 shots.

La Verne improved to 4-11-1 overall and 3-7-1 in the SCIAC. 

The Leopards travel to Caltech on Saturday, October 26 at 11 a.m.