Photo by Shira Oneal-Abend

Story by Sebastián Abdón Ibarra

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The University of La Verne men's soccer team traveled to UC Santa Cruz on Saturday searching for their first win of the year against the George Fox University Bruins. Junior midfielder Owen Osagiede played the hero for La Verne, scoring in the 88th minute to secure a hard-fought, first win for the Leos.

La Verne had an opportunity to win late thanks to the performances of goalies Logan Reese and Kevan Rehmani who combined for four saves. It was an especially impressive performance from the freshman Reese who came into the game in the second half to collect three of the four saves, including a crucial save in the 78th minute to keep the game scoreless.

The Leopard offense turned up the intensity in the 81st minute searching for the difference-maker. Freshman midfielder Joel Trejo took two shots that ended up wide after the with 10 minutes left to play. It looked as if the Leos would have to wait another day for their first victory of the year until Osagiede took it at the Bruins himself for the unassisted goal.

Game Two: Whitman 2, La Verne 1

The Leopards closed out the weekend in UC Santa Cruz against the undefeated Whitman College Blues, falling 2-1.

La Verne was the first to strike in the match after a scoreless first half from both teams. However, the Blues broke through midway into the second half and responded with a pair of goals to retake the lead and keep their perfect record intact.

It only took 45 seconds into the second half for La Verne's Christian Ibarra to find the back of the net with an assist from Angel Loza.

The Leopards' backline stayed busy in the match dealing with 20 total shots and eight on goal by the Blues. The Leopards could only hold off the onslaught for so long as Whitman tied the game in the 67th minute and then took the lead in the 77th minute after goals by Noa Taylor and Jacob Barsher respectively.

After a clean half from goalie Rehmani, his counterpart Reese did his best to keep Whitman scoreless by saving four of the six on goal shots by Whitman.

Season Impact

The Leopards move to 1-2-1 on the season.

Next Game            

The Leos will look to get back on track with a win in their first conference game of 2021 on Wednesday against Whittier College at 7 pm.