CLAREMONT, Calif. — Rey Julian Castillo scored three goals, Joey Sabers and Rex Sample each turned in two, and the University of La Verne men's water polo team stayed close with No. 19 Pomona-Pitzer.
But the Leopards couldn't overcome a first half deficit, dropping to the Sagehens 11-9 Wednesday afternoon at Haldeman Pool.
The Leopards stayed even with Pomona-Pitzer in the second half with each team scoring four times in the final 16 minutes.
Sabers gave La Verne the early lead, scoring less than a minute into the contest. Tyler Bennett scored late in the quarter to cut the Sagehens' lead to just one.
Mike Meza also added a goal for La Verne. Domenic D'Andrea led the Leopards with two steals. Pomona-Pitzer was led by Cade Curry's three goals.
Ian Hernandez kept the Leopards in the game. The junior racked up 14 saves to keep his squad close.
Pomona-Pitzer was led by Cade Curry's three goals.
Season Impact: The Leopards fall to 4-11 overall and 1-5 in the conference. The Sagehens improve to 10-8 overall and 4-1 in the SCIAC.
Next Game: The Leopards will play their Alumni Game at 11 a.m. this Saturday at Las Flores Park. They return to SCIAC action on Tuesday, October 17 against the Occidental College Tigers at 4 p.m.