LA VERNE, Calif. — Troy Williams and Joshua Vega each notched a hat trick, the defense came up big again and the University of La Verne men's water polo team defeated Citrus College, 11-7, on Wednesday evening at La Verne Aquatic Center.

The Leopards jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the game and used the early advantage to hold off the Owls.

The Leopards staked out to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter but the Eagles flipped the table in the second quarter and outscored La Verne, 4-1, in the second frame to tie the game at 5-5.

The Owls then briefly took a 7-6 lead midway through the third quarter on consecutive goals by Brandt Restad and Mark Naranjo. But Williams and Bryan Poole responded with a pair of goals of their own to put the Leopards back up by 8-7 and La Verne never looked back.

The Leopards added three more goals in the fourth quarter while shutting down the Owls to seal the victory. Vega found the net twice and Viken Huening added one in the final frame.

The Leopards will return to action on Oct. 1 when they host Fordham at Las Flores Park. On Saturday, the team will invite its alumni back on campus for the annual Alumni Game.