LA VERNE, CA- The University of La Verne men's soccer team picked up its first SCIAC win of the season in front of a packed crowd against Cal Lutheran, defeating the Kingsmen 4-1 on a rainy night at Ortmayer Stadium.

Forward Diego Soto and midfielder Juan Manzano shined for the Leopards with two goals each.

Soto opened scoring with his first goal of the night when Manzano sent a free kick near the left corner and set him up perfectly to head the ball into the net.

Manzano followed with his two goals in the 33rd and 35th minutes of play. The first came when midfielder Aidan Tapia-Palacios set up Manzano with a perfect pass up the middle. Manzano outraced the Kingsmen defenders and shot the ball through the net with his left foot. Two minutes later, he intercepted a pass from Cal Lutheran and made another successful shot with his right foot to put the Leopards up 3-0 going into halftime. 

The Kingsmen struck once in the 52nd minute, but Soto answered back for the Leopards in the 80th minute of play with his second goal of the night, battling through Cal Lu's defense and finding the back of the net with a left-foot shot. 

Shots: La Verne 16, Cal Lutheran 5
Saves: La Verne 2, Cal Lutheran 5
Corner Kicks: La Verne 3, Cal Lutheran 3
Fouls: La Verne 15, Cal Lutheran 13

With the win, the Leopards improve to 3-3-3 overall and 1-2-1 in conference play while Head Coach Drew Rea collected his first SCIAC win as program leader. 

Words from Head Coach Drew Rea:
"It was another crazy game. The first half was the best we have played all year," said Rea. "The rain hit, and we struggled at first, but we got our 4th goal and won a huge game."

Youth Teams and Schools Recognized
The Leopards also welcomed players from FC Golden State, Legends FC, Claremont Stars, La Verne Lazers, and PSO, and students from Roynon Elementary at Saturday's game.

Next Up:
The Leopards will be back in action against the Whittier College Poets this Wednesday, October 1st at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field.