La Verne tops Chapman 14-11 in first round of SCIAC tourney

LA VERNE, Calif. — Stephanie Rosero scored five goals, Guarina Garcia and Megan Little each notched a hat trick and the La Verne women's water polo team defeated Chapman 14-11 in the first round of the SCIAC Championships on Friday.

La Verne will face Pomona-Pitzer in the semifinal tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. The Leopards beat the Sagehens in last year's SCIAC semifinals to advance to the championship match.

Ardelle Aquino scored back-to-back goals to open the game and the Leopards led wire-to-wire.

Chapman got back within three goals on a couple of different occasions but Rosero came alive in the second half to carry the team to victory. Rosero scored four of her five goals in the second half as each of her goals stopped the Panthers' momentum.

Garcia and Little finished with three goals each while Garcia added three assists.

Ardelle Aquino added an assist to go with her two goals and Jasmine Bustamante had a goal and two assists.

La Verne goalie Jordan Ehara allied five saves and a steal.

Grace Schade led the Panthers with four goals.

Fans can follow the action live with updated scores, live stats, box scores, video and more at the Tournament Central Page.