LA VERNE, CA — Reiley Burton scored a season-high six goals and the University of La Verne women's water polo team played its most complete game of the season on the way to a critical 15-9 win over Occidental College Wednesday afternoon.

Season Impact

With the win, the Leopards now control their destiny to make the SCIAC Postseason Tournament. La Verne moves to 4-4 in SCIAC play and sits in fifth place with four games remaining. If the Leopards win three games, they will finish no further than fifth. La Verne still has matchups against Whittier College, the University of Redlands, Caltech, and Pomona-Pitzer. The Leopards last made the tournament in 2023.

Key Performers

Burton tied her career-high, netting six goals with three assists and one drawn exclusion. Brianna Zapata was all over the pool, tallying career-highs with four steals and four assists, and added one goal.

Gigi Gomez played one of her best games of the season, totaling three goals, two assists, and one steal. Brooklyn Young played an outstanding all-around game, finishing with two assists, one goal, two drawn exclusions, and one steal. Porsche Double grabbed three steals. 

Miranda Graham played big in the cage. She racked up 13 saves and held the Tigers to just 2-13 on power plays.

Olivia Taylor and Nancy Trinh scored twice. Maya De Guzman finished with two steals and one assist. Trinh drew two exclusions. Madison Coss made a perfect cross-pool pass for an assist.

How It Happened

The Leopards jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first, but the Tigers answered with four straight goals to even the game. Gomez scored with 25 seconds remaining in the half to give the Leopards a slim 6-5 lead heading into the second. 

La Verne took over in the second, outscoring Oxy 9-4 in the final 16 minutes to cruise to the win. 

Next Game

The Leopards travel to Whittier on Saturday, April 5, for an 11 a.m. game against the Poets. La Verne defeated Whittier 13-11 in a close game at Las Flores earlier this season.