LOS ANGELES — Stephanie Rosero and Guarina Garcia ran roughshod over Occidental to lead the University of La Verne women's water polo team to a 20-11 win on Wednesday at Taylor Pool.
The newcomer duo, who has instantly turned the Leopards into a SCIAC title contender, combined for an incredible 15 goals. Rosero finished with eight goals and Garcia scored seven, both career-highs.
La Verne improves to 15-3 overall and 5-0 in the SCIAC. Oxy falls to 2-9 and 0-5.
The Leopards ripped off four unanswered goals to start the third quarter and put the game out of reach. Ardelle Aquino bookended the run with a pair of goals and Candace Vorbeck and Rosero chipped in a goal each.
Zulema Iboa-Garcia stopped the bleeding for the Tigers with a goal at the 2:57 mark in the third but La Verne stamped out any hope of a comeback with three straight goals by Rosero, Catie Tuning and Garcia.
The Tigers hung tough in the first half, weathering an fast start by La Verne and brought in within 5-4 to close the first quarter. The teams traded the first four goals of the second quarter but Garcia registered the final two goals of the quarter to give the Leopards a 9-6 cushion heading into the break.
The Leopards are back in action on Saturday when it hosts Pomona-Pitzer. First sprint is at 11 a.m.