LA VERNE, Calif. — Justin Funes' late shot sealed the University of La Verne men's soccer team's fourth win in a row as it beat UC Santa Cruz, 1-0, on Saturday at Ortamyer Stadium.
La Verne improves to 10-2-0 on the season and the win secured a perfect 3-0 record against non-conference West Region opponents this season, which could prove crucial in postseason scenarios. UC Santa Cruz falls to 3-3-3.
It was very tight match with few opportunities for either side until Funes broke through in the 79th minute. An Auden Foxe cross from the left wing deflected off a defender and Funes claimed the loose ball at the edge of the penalty box and fired a lob shot over Christian De Guzman.
Funes' marker was one of only two shots on goal by the Leopards. The Banana Slugs also only managed two shots on target, both of which were turned away by Darrin Bangle.
In addition to boosting their regional standing, the Leopards used the game to prepare for the second half of the SCIAC season. "I was looking to fine-tune some of the things that we are working on and prepare for the second half of SCIAC play," La Verne head coach Trevor Persson said. "We wanted to use this game to check some of the things we were doing.
"So far, so good."
And with Occidental's loss to Redlands on the same day, the Leopards take sole possession of first-place in the SCIAC standings.
La Verne returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Chapman for a 7 p.m. match.
