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Water Polo gains first victory of 2009
The University of La Verne men's water polo team took part in
the Lancer Invite hosted by Cal Baptist University this weekend.
While they would drop games against Fresno Pacific, Chapman, and
Riverside City College, the Leopards gained their first win of the
season against the Occidental Tigers.
La Verne kicked off its tournament play with a game against the
Tigers, who defeated the Leopards two weeks ago at the Inland
Empire Tournament. Mark Wilson gave the Leopards two goals in the
first quarter, and Arturo Villalpando and Matthew McDowell added on
to the total to take a 4-2 lead after the first period of play.
After an Andrew MacKay goal on an Occidental ejection, and goals
from Errol Stump and John Roche, the Leopards would lead 7-3
heading into halftime.
Sean Steele scored quickly in the third quarter, and MacKay found
the back of the net for the second time in the match. Although
Villalpando would score La Verne's only goal in the fourth quarter,
it would be enough for a 10-7 win.
In the second match of the tournament, La Verne found themselves
down 5-0 to Fresno Pacific in the first quarter. La Verne would
attempt to come back with two goals from Roche and a goal from
Villalpando, Stump, and MacKay. Despite outscoring the Sunbirds 6-4
in the final three quarters, the first quarter deficit would be too
much, and the Leopards would drop a 10-6 final.
On Saturday, La Verne found itself matched up against Chapman, and
trailed 3-0 after the first quarter. Jonathan Wallace and Emerson
Gant scored their first goals of the tournament, while Villalpando
and Roche netted two each. The Leopards would need two more goals,
but would come up short, and Chapman would take a 8-6 victory.
In the final match of the tournament, La Verne faced Riverside
City College. Villalpando scored three, McDowell scored two, and
individual goals by MacKay, Roche, and Scott Jones would be La
Verne's offense for the day, but Riverside CC would win 13-8.
Goalie Alan Nevarez recorded 49 saves during the tournament.
Villalpando netted 8 goals, while Roche score 6 times during the
weekend.
La Verne will continue tournament action at the Claremont
Convergence next weekend. The schedule has yet to be announced, so
check back during the week to see what time the Leopards will take
the water.
