LA VERNE, CA — Nanea Mattson led all scores, the Leopards got out to an early lead, and the University of La Verne women's water polo held off a late surge by St. Francis Brooklyn to beat the Terriers 11-9.

Mattson finished with four goals in the win including a pair of clutch shots in the fourth quarter to extend La Verne's lead to 10-8.

Fellow freshman Sumi Rudisky had a great all-around game. The Los Angeles native scored three times with two coming as a part of a 3-1 first quarter run for the Leopards. She also added one assist and one steal.

The Leopards added four goals in the second quarter to take a 7-4 lead at the break. After the teams traded one goal apiece in the third quarter, the Terriers stormed back and opened the final period with a 3-0 run to tie the game 8-8.

That's when Mattson responded with back-to-back goals the second coming from a Sage Nowell assist to put La Verne up for good. The Terriers made it a one-goal game when Zoe Drobenko scored with 3:10 left to play, but Kelly Riedel responded with a goal a minute later to give the Leopards a two-goal cushion.

Loreny Valdez led the Leopards' defensive efforts with nine saves and two steals.

Ilene Guerrero and Riedel both finished with two goals. Nowell and Jassmine Kezman each dealt a pair of assists and Angelica Espinoza dished out one. Candice Vorbeck and Riedel each added one steal.

Drobenko led the Terriers with three goals.

The Leopards dropped the tournament opener 16-8 to Sonoma State. Kezman led La Verne with three goals in the effort. Nancy Trinh, Mattson, Espinoza, Rudisky, and Guerrero each scored once.

Season Impact

After Friday's results the Leopards move to 7-4 overall. 

Next Game

The Leopards conclude the Convergence tournament tomorrow with an 11:30 a.m. game against Villanova and a 3:15 p.m. versus Penn St.-Behrend.