THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Guarina Garcia and Stephanie Rosero combined for nine goals to lead the University of La Verne women's water polo team to a 14-9 wire-to-wire victory over Cal Lutheran on Saturday at Samuelson Aquatic Center.
La Verne improves to 13-3 overall and 3-0 in the SCIAC. Cal Lutheran falls to 9-14 and 1-2.
The Leopards opened the game with a stingy defense, shutting out the Regals in the first quarter and grabbing a 2-0 lead on goals by Candice Vorbeck and Rosero. The Regals got on the board on a goal by Maggie Kurzeka at the 5:04 mark in the second quarter after Garcia found the back of the net early in the frame to stretch the lead to 3-0.
The Regals got close on a couple of occasions in the third quarter but the Leopards had a response each time. Mardell Ramirez scored 22 seconds into the second half to get Cal Lutheran within 6-4, but Garcia and Salena Zapata tallied back-to-back goals to put the Leopards back up the 8-4. Nicole Roed trimmed the Regals' deficit back to three with 5:42 left in the third quarter but La Verne called a timeout, drew an ejection on the ensuing possession and Garica tucked away the power-play goal to give the Leopards a 10-6 lead.
La Verne stretched the lead to as much six goals in the final quarter to ice the game.
Garcia led all players with five goals and Rosero was right behind with four. Vorbeck finished with two. Jasmine Bustamante, Megan Little and Zapata had one each.
Cambria Serrano made seven saves in net for La Verne.
The Leopards are back in action on April 2 at home against Chapman.
