LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's water polo team played a back-and-forth first half but fell to Cal Lutheran University 14-11 Saturday afternoon.
After Cal Lutheran opened the second quarter with two quick goals, La Verne scored three unanswered. Graduate student Peter Trinh started the surge, then senior Sawyer Nering and freshman Nicholas Winsor scored in the final two minutes of the quarter to cut the deficit to one and build momentum heading into halftime.
The Leopards closed the third quarter strong with Trinh and senior David Gutierrez netting goals to put the score at 10-8 heading into the final eight minutes. But the Kingsmen started the fourth quarter on a 3-0 run and the Leopards couldn't climb back despite closing the game on a 3-0 run of their own.
Guttierez got the Leopards on the board early, scoring a minute into the game. The Kingsmen then rattled off four straight goals in a two-minute span to take an early advantage. Sophomore Jordan Baker found the back of the net at the 1:26 mark to cut the deficit to two.
Senior goalkeeper Eric Bates finished the contest with 11 saves. Guttierez drew four exclusions and added two steals. Alam Chang-Barnevo finished with two goals, a game-high four assists, and two steals. Nicolo Buono ended with two assists and one goal and Vaughn Freiermuth added
La Verne moves to 7-16 overall and 2-5 in the SCIAC. The Leos look to bounce back as they face the University of Redlands on the road on Wednesday, October 30th at 7 p.m.
