LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's soccer fell into an early 4-0 hole, but the Leopards kept fighting. La Verne rallied and scored three goals to cut Occidental's lead to just one with six minutes left to play.
But the Tigers responded with a goal in the 86th minute to seal the game 5-3.
Season Impact
La Vere drops to 3-6 overall and 1-6 in SCIAC Play. Occidental improves to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the SCIAC.
How it Happened
Occidental surged quick. Just over two minutes into the game, Ariel Rosso got off a shot that keeper Gerardo Vazquez initially saved. But the ball took an unlucky Lepard bounce off Vazquez's hands and rolled to the back of the net.
Seven minutes later Occidental doubled its lead off a goal by Ethan Glass and just a minute after that, the Tigers added another goal to put the score at 3-0.
After a fourth goal by the Tigers in the 26th minute, it seemed like it would be a long day for the Leopards. But Adrian Perez added a bright spot in the first half, grabbing a pass from Tyler Avila to get his squad on the board.
La Vere made a push in the second half. Ethan Diaz scored an unassisted goal in the 79th minute that brought life back into the Leopard squad.
Perez kept the momentum going a few minutes later, connecting with James Metoyer in the box who headed in the goal to cut Occidental's lead to just one.
But the celebration would be short-lived with the Tigers' Riley McCabe scoring the dagger a minute late to put the game away.
Next Game
The Leopards next travel to Pasadena where they will face the Caltech Beavers on Saturday, September 29 at 11 a.m.
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