LA VERNE, Calif. — Josh Vega notched a hat trick and Ian Hernandez made a couple of spectacular saves, but the University of La Verne men's water polo team fell to Redlands, 10-8, in the final regular home season of the game on Wednesday night at La Verne Aquatics Center.
La Verne falls to 6-17 and 2-5 in SCIAC play. Redlands improves to 14-12 and 5-2.
After falling in a 3-1 hole after the first quarter, the Leopards opened the second quarter with three straight goals by Jordan Bowers, Vega and Ryan Batchelor to briefly take a 5-4 lead.
But Matt Shippen put the Bulldogs on top with two goals to close the second half and Redlands held on the rest of the way. The Leopards got within one goal on three separate occasions, but were not able to get over the hump.
Bryan Jimenez got the Leopards within 9-8 after he stole the ball, drew an exclusion on the fast break and converted the power play himself with more than four minutes left in the game, but the Leopards could not find a late equalizer.
Elias Acosta, Jimenez, Batchelor, Bowers and Makai DeNeve-Arnam each scored a goal for La Verne.
La Verne wraps up the regular season on Saturday at Redlands.