LA VERNE- The University of La Verne men's water polo squad split four matches at the Gary Troyer Convergence this weekend and added an exhibition win on Sunday.

The Leopards (3-14) got off to a fast start, winning both matches on Friday, including a 19-11 result against Cal Tech University and an 18-7 victory against Penn St.-Behrend.

The Leos outscored the Beavers 7-1 in the second quarter and held a 9-4 advantage at the half before widening their lead over the final two quarters. Sophomore driver Matthew Vega led the squad with four goals. Junior goalie Daniel Newell recorded eight saves.

The Leopards got on top of the Lions early and held a 13-0 edge after two quarters. Penn St.-Behrend got on the board with seven goals in the second half with the game out of reach. Junior center Tyler Hunt and junior left attacker Randy Batchelor scored three goals apiece for the Leopards. Newell record three saves while freshman utility player Randy Sammons replace him for the second half and recorded four stops. 

La Verne dropped two matches on Saturday, however, falling to John's Hopkins (Md.) 15-11 before a 15-10 loss to Fordham (N.Y.).

The Leopards led the Blue Jays after two quarters 5-4, but gave up 11 second-half goals. Senior attacker Bosko Dimic and Matthew Monterroso, along with sophomore center Viken Huening, each had two goals. In the second match, the Rams got out to an early 5-0 lead that would not be relinquished. Sophomore attacker Bryan Jimenez and junior utility player Jonathon Jarvis had two goals apiece. Newell had 13 and seven saves in each match respectively. 

The Leopards also fit in a late addition to their schedule on Sunday against Notre Dame of Ohio. After trailing 6-1 in the first quarter, the Leos chipped away at the deficit to pull off a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in 17-16 victory. Jiminez led all scorers with five goals while Newell had eight saves.