Women's Water Polo drops to CSU Monterey Bay in opener

Women's Water Polo drops to CSU Monterey Bay in opener

LA VERNE, Calif. —  Stephanie Rosero picked up right where she left off in 2016, scoring a team high four goals for the La Verne women's water polo team against Cal State Monterey Bay.

But the Otters scored the game first four goals to jump out to an early advantage and beat the Leopards 14-9 on Saturday at Las Flores Park.

La Verne looked rusty out of the gate, committing unnecessary turnovers and allowing easy transition opportunities as the Otters grabbed a 4-0 lead. 

Rosero put the Leopards on the board as time expired in the first quarter and Guarina Garcia and Jasmine Bustamante scored back-to-back goals to open the the second, bringing La Verne within 4-3. 

But the Otters rattled off three unanswered goals to close the first half and scored the first two goals of the second half to take a 10-4 lead with 5:40 left in the third quarter. Bustamante and Zoe Kratzer answered for La Verne but Monterey Bay went on another run of four unanswered goals to seal the win.

Bustamante finished with three goals and Guarina Guarcia scored two for La Verne.

Adrianna Craft led the Otters with four goals. Dinah Aiad, Marisa Lovos and Kylie Wheelock each added two goals.

The Leopards are back in action on Feb. 21 against the University of Toronto.