LA VERNE, CA – The University of La Verne men's water polo team showed up and showed out in their battle against the Whittier College Poets on Wednesday evening. The Leopards clawed their way to a 13-8 victory, led valiantly by
Timothy Robles, who led the team in goals and steals.
Robles, a senior utility player, scored three goals for the Leopards and stole three. Robles earned five shots, bringing his scoring percentage to a whopping 60%. He scored his first goal with nine seconds left in the first period, and started a trend for the Leopards. La Verne continued to score when it mattered most. At the end of the second, Robles scored again with 37 seconds left, and
Christian Acosta followed suit with a goal with 18 seconds left. Acosta earned 2 goals for the Leopards, drew one exclusion, blocked two in the field, and stole one.
La Verne maintained the lead for periods three and four, keeping the Poets at bay. Goalkeeper
Henry De Luna had a photo-worthy goal to finish the fourth period, as he launched it across the pool to an empty net and it floated right in the bottom left corner. The final score read 13-8.
Junior
Josh Lamberton earned two goals, one assist, one drawn exclusion, and one steal.
Senior
Nicolo Buono scored twice for the Leopards and notched two steals.
In the net, De Luna recorded a season-high 14 saves on 31 shots faced.
The Leopards will be back in action on Saturday, November 14th, facing the Chapman University Panthers at home at 11 a.m.
