By Kay Hurd
La Verne Athletics Communication

REDLANDS, Calif. — The University of La Verne men's water polo team fell to Redlands, 17-10, in tghe regular season finale on Wednesday night at Thompson Aquatic Center.

La Verne finishes the season 6-17 overall and 4-4 in SCIAC while Redlands has one more game remaining and improves to 15-14 and 4-3.

The Bulldogs got out to a quick start, grabbing 4-0 lead just three minutes into the game. Rex Sample and Rey Julian Castillo would cut the lead to two, but the Bulldogs ripped off another 4-0 run and ran away with the quarter, 8-2.

The Leopards kept the lead from ballooning futher but could not swing the momentum in their favor.

"These guys have given their all this season and we lost tonight, but we get a chance to redeem ourselves when it counts the most," La Verne head coach Mason Cox said. "We have to come back stronger for Day 1 of the SCIAC Championships."

Redlands saw goals from 10 different players, including five from Kevin Chapa and a hat trick from Matt Shippen.

La Verne saw multiple goals from Joey Sabers, Castillo, Sample, and Joshua Vega. Jared Hopley and Jessie Iniquez also got on the board for La Verne.

The Leopards converted 5-of-9 power play opportunities while the Bulldogs were 8 for 11.

The 2016 SCIAC Men's Water Polo Championships begin on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Pasadena City College and will be hosted by Caltech. Matchups will be finalized at the conclusion of Saturday's SCIAC matches.