LA VERNE, CA — Jovanni Garcia led the Leopards with three assists and a goal and the University of La Verne men's soccer team dominated Providence Christian College on their way to a 5-0 win Saturday night.
Season Impact
The Leopards open the season 2-0 and have outscored their opponents 9-2 during the stretch.
Starting Off Strong
Garcia has been more than impressive in his opening two games for the Leopards. The junior has totaled four assists and two goals in his opening two matches for La Verne.
Attacking Early
The Leopards attacked early and often in the opening half, rallying off 11 shots in the first frame. It took just seven minutes for the Leopards to get on the board. Following a corner kick by Johnny DeRueda, the Sea Beggars deflected the ball to the top of the box where a waiting Garcia struck the ball with his left foot for the opening lead.
It didn't take La Verne long to double its lead. In the 11th minute, Garcia gathered the ball near the sideline, dribbled past three defenders, and delivered a pass to James Coe in the box. Coe gathered, beat a defender and sent a hard shot to the right side of the goal for the 2-0 advantage.
Garcia and Coe teamed up again in the 28th minute this time off a free kick near the sideline. Garcia drilled a pass on the ground to the box, Coe sprinted in and tapped the ball with his right foot for a 3-0 lead and the rout was on.
La Verne scored its fourth goal of the half in the 35th minute when Sean Costello gathered the ball from the Leopards' half of the field and sent a perfect pass to Garcia. The forward split a pair of Providence Christian defenders and passed to a sliding Ryan Mendoza who poked the ball past the keeper.
Second Half
Providence Christian increased its pressure in the second half, launching seven shots in the period but the La Verne defense didn't break. Tristan Polakowski collected two of his three saves in the half and La Verne kept its shutout intact.
Darious Adbollahi added the Leopards' fifth goal when Alex Chavez sent him a pass from the sideline and he unleashed a shot to the bottom right corner of the net.
Next Game
The Leopards continue nonconference play on Wednesday when they host the St. Katherine Firebirds on Wednesday, September 4, at 4 p.m.
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