Women's Water Polo edges Pomona-Pitzer, advances to championship game

REDLANDS, Calif. — Stephanie Rosero scored a goal with 1:46 remaining in the game to lift the University of La Verne women's water polo team past Pomona-Pitzer, 10-9, in a semifinal of the 2016 SCIAC Championships.

The Leopards will face the winner of the Chapman versus Whittier match for the championship tomorrow at 3:15 p.m.

Rosero and Guarina Garcia carried the Leopards all season long and did not disappoint in the most important game in program history. They each scored three goals in the game and hooked up for the game winner.

Rosero received a pass from Garcia right in front of the goal, outmuscled her marker and slotted one in past the goalkeeper to give the Leopards their final lead.

Rosero also scored La Verne's penultimate goal to tie the game at 9-9 at the 4:01 mark in the fourth quarter.

The Sagehens held a small edge throughout the first half but the offenses broke out in the second half. The Leopards rattled off four unanswered goals to grab a 7-4 lead but the Sagehens responded with a 4-0 run of their own to retake the lead, 8-7.

Catie Tuning and Pomona-Pitzer's Megan Snow traded goals to start the fourth, but the Leopards clamped down on defense and Rosero took over.

La Verne can claim its first-ever conference championship and the SCIAC's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship tournament with a win tomorrow.