Still looking for their first win of the 2009 season, the University of La Verne men's soccer team hosted Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at Ben Hines Field Saturday afternoon.   The Leopards would not be denied, posting three first-half goals en route to a 4-1 victory over the Stags.

Midfielder Ruben Trujillo blasted a shot past goalie Ryan Fahey and got the Leopards on the board in the 21st minute to give the Leos a 1-0 lead.  La Verne was able to add to their lead in the 37th minute when goalie Jonathyn Lomeli, who finished the match with four saves, cleared a ball down the field to Taylor Hart. Hart won the ball, beat his defender, and scored his second goal of the season.

Before the fans could sit down, CMS's Ian Anderson scored off an Eric Bean assist less than thirty seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1.  Mike Mancilla would continue to light up the scoreboard off a Trujillo assist in the 40th minute, and La Verne would take a 3-1 lead heading into halftime.

Action would slow in the second half, but La Verne would add another goal as forward Nahavi Mendoza scored a header on a cross from Bryan Mejia in the 55th minute to close the scoring. The Leos earn their first win of the season and improve to 1-1 in conference play.

La Verne outshot Claremont 21-12, and the Leopards doubled their season goal total.

The Leopards will continue conference play at home next Wednesday as they host the Poets from Whittier College, who recently defeated the defending SCIAC champion Bulldogs from the University of Redlands. The match will begin at 4 pm.