REDLANDS, CA - The University of La Verne traveled to Redlands today to take on the Bulldogs in a matchup that may turn out to be the deciding game for a berth to the SCIAC Championship tournament next week.

The Bulldogs held the initial advantage, benefited by a razor-thin lead in Conference record as well as playing host to the Leos in their home pool. Utilizing that advantage, the Bulldogs struck first and scored at the 3:34 mark. But La Verne senior Abby Nunez and 5th year Halo Espinoza fired off consecutive goals in the final two minutes of the first quarter, putting the Leos ahead going into the 2nd. 

The second quarter was all Bulldogs who scored 3 of the 4 goals before the halftime buzzer, putting Redlands in the lead 3-4. Senior Nancy Trinh was the lone scorer in the 2nd for the Leopards, and senior Nanea Mattson was tagged with the assist. 

The third quarter proved to be a back and forth battle between the two competitors resulting in a goal by La Verne freshman Maddie Grove from a Nunez set up. With the scoreboard reading 4-4, everyone was on the edge of their seats going into the 4th.

It didn't take long for the Leopards to draw all the attention to the Green and Orange. Two Leos, Mattson and sophomore Brianna Zapata, fired shots from the field that found the back of the cage, while Nunez scored one on a penalty shot. The Bulldogs managed to convert on a Powerplay, but the Leopards took the game 7-5 as time ended.

The Leopards travel to Cal Tech on Saturday the 22nd. Game time is 11am.

(photo by Emma Vu)