CLAREMONT, Calif. — The University of La Verne men's water polo team fell behind early against Pomona-Pitzer early and never recovered in a 19-8 loss at Haldeman Pool on Saturday.

The Leopards could not get its going offense early. By the time Nick Estevez put the Leopards on the board with about a minute and a half remaining in the first quarter, the Sagehens had staked out a 5-0 lead and the Leopards were facing an uphill battle.

Andrew Phillips and Estevez got the Leopards within 7-3 early in the second quarter with two straight goals but that was as close as the Leopards would get.

Pomona-Pitzer added four more in the second to take a 11-4 lead into the break and led by as many as 14 goals.

Josh Vega scored two, Phillips added on and the Leopards shut out the Sagehens in the fourth quarter, but the effort came too little, too late.

Josh Vega led the way for the Leopards with three goals and Estevez finished with two. 

La Verne falls to 2-4 in SCIAC play while Pomona-Pitzer improves to 4-2 in conference.

The Leopards travel to Redlands on Nov. 12 to face the Bulldogs at 7 p.m.