LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne women's water polo team treated a packed Las Flores Pool to a thriller against the Virginia Military Institute in their first home action of the season.

The Leopards rallied from a 9-4 halftime deficit and tied the game at 10-10 with 1:38 to play, but the Keydets scored with five seconds left to spoil La Verne's home opener, 11-10.

Newcomer Anika Nichols led the Leopards with four goals and added one assist, one steal, and one drawn exclusion. Maya De Guzman was a force defensively, tallying five steals, three drawn exclusions, and one assist.

Freshman Kaitalin Smith shined in a strong all-around performance. The Glendora native ended with two goals, two drawn exclusions, two steals, two blocks, and an assist. Veteran Nancy Trinh finished with four drawn exclusions and one goal. 

Miranda Graham was dominant in the cage, recording six saves while allowing just two goals in a half of work. Kelly Jackson finished with three saves.

The Leopards ended the first quarter tied 3-3, thanks to goals by Nichols, Trinh, and Dottie Barrera, but VMI responded in the second, outscoring La Verne 6-1 in the period. La Verne began to return to form after halftime, shutting out VMI and adding a Nichols goal and a penalty goal from Ally Ratto in the third quarter.

The offensive surge continued in the fourth with Smith converting off an assist from Barrerra and netting another goal on a power play off a pass from De Guzman. Barrera evened the game 9-9 with just under three minutes remaining before VMI was finally able to score its first goal of the half.

Brooklyn Young connected with Nichols for one of her two assists, who cashed in her final goal to tie the game 10-10 with under two minutes to play. La Verne had a chance to take the lead with under a minute remaining, but an offensive foul gave the advantage to VMI. The Keydets' Hailey Minnich scored the difference maker. Young was able to launch a final attempt, but the shot went off the cage. 

The Leopards return to Las Flores Pool on Saturday, January 31, for a 9 a.m. matchup with future SCIAC member Azusa Pacific.