LA VERNE, CA — Ruben Gonzalez scored a highlight reel goal to tie the score and
Adan Villarreal gave the University of La Verne men's soccer team a 3-2 lead over Whitman a few moments later. But the Blues surged late and scored two goals in the final 11 minutes to beat the Leopards 4-3 Friday night.
Gonzalez netted an early contender for goal of the year in the 58th minute with the Leopards trailing 2-1. The senior out of Los Angeles unleashed a powerful shot from nearly 40 yards out that flew by the outstretched arms of keeper Niclas Isensee to the top left corner of the goal.
Just over two minutes later, Villarreal added to La Verne's momentum. The Leopards battled for possession in the box when the ball deflected off a Whitman defender.
Maximilian De Anda gathered it and took a hard shot. Isensee made a great diving save but couldn't wrangle it, and Villareal was right there for the rebound and tapped in the go-ahead goal.
Sawyer Valero scored a hat-trick for the Blues. He gave Whitman the lead in the 35th minute when he lost his mark in the box for a tap-in goal. In the 80th minute, the Leopards were whistled for a penalty on a close call near the top of the box. Valero converted the penalty to tie the game 3-3. Jacob Burrill set up the difference maker on a long cross through the box and a sprinting Valero tapped it in.
Sophomore midfielder
Alexander Bastidas needed just seven minutes to give the Leopards the early lead. A Blues defender passed backward towards his keeper but Bastidas darted towards the slow roller, beat the goalie to the loose ball, and scored in the empty net.
Burrill tied the game 10 minutes later on an assist from Zachary Stonier.
The Leopards' three goals tied their scoring high for the season. La Verne netted three goals in a 3-0 win over Southern California Leadership Academy earlier this season.
La Verne moved to 1-4 overall and Whitman improved to 2-1.
The Leopards next play on Wednesday, September 18, when they host the University of California Santa Cruz at 7 p.m.
