By Kay Hurd
La Verne Athletics Communications
ISLA VISTA, Calif. — The University of La Verne men's water polo team battled against two Division I opponents but left the UCSB min-tournament empty-handed on Saturday.
Game 1: No. 7 UC Santa Barbara 15, La Verne 3
The seventh-ranked Gauchos came out hot, picking up nine goals before Joshua Vega could hammer one in late in the first half.
Vega would pick up another at the end of the third and Elias Acosta added one more on a penalty shot but the Leopards were outmatched from the first sprint and UC Santa Barbara took the game, 15-3.
The Leopards took 25 shots and limited themselves to only two exclusions and Acosta converted the Leopards only penalty shot.
Game 2: San Jose State 13, La Verne 7
Rey Julian Castillo netted four goals and the Leopards stayed within reach of the Spartans through three quarters.
La Verne manged to prevent the Spartans from putting together a big run through the first three quarters but the Spartans found their rhythm in the fourth. San Jose State rattled on six unanswered goals in the final frame to run away with the win.
Evan Monterroso, Guillermo Ocasio and Vega each picked up a goal for the Leopards.
Up next
The Leopards begin conference play against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomrrow at 11 a.m. Despite its being a designated home game, it will be played at the Axelrood Pool of CMS due to ongoing repairs at Las Flores Park.