LOS ANGELES — Alexa Smith scored a 29th minute equalizer but Occidental responded just two minutes later to beat the Leopards, 3-1, on Saturday night at Jack Kemp Stadium.
La Verne falls to 5-5-2 overall and 3-4-1 in SCIAC play. The Tigers improve to 4-6-1 and 3-4-1.
Smith scored on a good individual effort after Nicole Castro fired the opening salvo for the Tigers in the 17th minute.
But just two minutes later, Erin Iacullo found the back of the net for Occidental as the Leopards lost their focus momentarily.
Julie Khil added the insurance goal for the Tigers in the 80th minute.
The Tigers put sustained pressure on La Verne all night long that had La Verne flustered. Occidental outshot La Verne, 17-7, on the game.
La Verne goalkeeper Jasmine Valadez once again kept the game from getting out of hand as she turned away a game-high five shots.
The Leopards return to action on Wednesday at Whittier at 7 p.m.