ORANGE, CA — It had been over a year since the Leopards played against another squad but you wouldn't have noticed watching the University of La Verne women's water polo team on Wednesday.

The Leopards returned to action with a bang, beating the Chapman Panthers on the road in an 11-7 game that was never in question.

Dating back to last season, the Leopards have won eight-straight games against NCAA Division III competition and now move to 1-0 overall. Chapman falls to 1-4 overall.

La Verne was led by Jassmine Kezman with four goals and one steal in the win. The three-time All-American picked up right where she left off last season when she led the SCIAC with 54 points and 40 goals. 

Nancy Trinh also looked sharp in the season opener. The 2020 All-American Honorable Mention found the back of the net four times in the win. Defensively, the Leopards were led by goalie Loreny Valdez's seven saves.

"It was surreal getting back to competition after a 13-moth hiatus," said La Verne Water Polo Head Coach Pat Beemer. "I was so impressed with our whole group. With very little training under our belts, the team got battle-tested in a hurry."

After a slow start by both squads, Chapman took the opening lead when Camille Chiang scored with 3:47 left in the first quarter. But it took La Verne just 21 seconds to respond with Trinh answering with the Leopards' first goal of the season. Chiang and Kezman traded a pair of goals before Sumi Rudisky scored with just over a minute left in the period.

The Leopards would hold onto the lead for the rest of the game. Trinh scored early in the second quarter and Kezman extended the lead to 5-2 on a power play just over a minute later. 

Bianca Sanchez opened the third quarter with her first goal as a Leopard and La Verne rolled the rest of the way, outscoring Chapman 6-3 in the second half. Nanea Mattson scored a second half goal and Sanchez added a steal.

The Panthers were led by Chiang's three goals.

After the shortest regular season in its history, the Leopards next head to the SCIAC Postseason Tournament which begins this Saturday, May 1. More details on the tournament will be published when they become available.