Leopards Comeback Not Enough Against Poets

By Joe Perrino, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

LA VERNE, CA — After coming off its fourth win and second SCIAC victory of the season, the Unversity of La Verne Leopards looked to win back-to-back matchups for the first time this season, but fell 22-16 to the Whittier Poets.

Freshman Peter Trinh and junior Alam Barnuevo posted game-high goal totals — four apiece — but it wasn't enough to stop the third-best team in SCIAC.

Whittier jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead, only five and a half minutes into the game. From there, however, the Leos put up a fight. The Leos were able to work their deficit all the way back to 13-10 midway through the third quarter.

In that run, Barnuevo scored two goals, Trinh scored one, and seniors Jason Soo Hoo and Michael Staine added goals as well. Also during that stretch, the Leos assist leader on the afternoon, senior Guillermo Ocasio, dished a pair of dimes as well.

La Verne had a trio of goalies take the net Wednesday afternoon. The two regular goalies, senior Ryan Lehotsky and junior Jonah Alvarado were both out for a period of time, and freshman utility player Jason Schultenberg stepped in and snagged three saves and a goal himself.

Towards the end of the matchup with about 1:30 remaining, Schultenberg left the net and swam down the pool with the ball in his hand and to the defenses' surprise fired a bullet into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Leopards move to 4-14, 2-8 while Whittier advances to 12-11, 8-2.

La Verne will look to bounce back at Chapman on November 6 at 11 a.m.