REDLANDS, Calif. — A quick 3-0 run in the second quarter cost the University of La Verne women's water polo team as the Leopards lost a 14-13 thriller to Redlands at Thompson Aquatic Center on Wednesday.
With the game tied at 4-4 midway through the second quarter, the Bulldogs created three-goal cushion with two goals from Deandra Van Houten and one from Annie Kinney to pull ahead and held off the Leopards the rest of the way.
The Leopards never trailed by more than three goals and pulled within one on five different occasions, but just couldn't find the equalizer.
La Verne falls to 5-12 overall and 3-4 in SCIAC play. Redlands improves to 5-23 and 3-4.
Seven different players got on the board for La Verne with Maddie Lovrensky and Megan Little leading the way with three goals apiece. Little and Lovrensky scored in the first quarter to even the game at 3-3 and scored a goal each in the final frame to keep the Leopards in it.
Catie Tuning scored both of her two goals in the fourth quarter and Emily Randall also chipped in a pair of goals.
Hailey Westwood made five saves in the cage for the Leopards.
Van Houten and Kinney carried the load for the Bulldogs. Van Houten led all scorers with five goals and Kinney found the net four times. AC Lopez made six saves for Redlands.
The Leopards will wrap up the regular season on Saturday when they host Whittier at 11 a.m.
La Verne vs. Redlands
April 15, 2015 - Redlands, Calif.
LV 3 - 2 - 4 - 5 = 13
UR 3 - 4 - 4 - 3 = 14
SCORING:
LV -- Maddie Lovrensky 3, Megan Little 3, Catie Tuning 2, Emily Randall 2, Jacqueline Rojas, Lora Marquez-Salgado, Sarah Jefferis.
UR -- Deandra Van Houton 5, Annie Kinney 4, Tricia Bannister 3, Taylor Christie, Meg Claypool, Ginger Carlson.
SAVES: AC Lopez (UR) 6, Hailey Westwood (LV) 5.