Photo by Emily Alvarez

LOS ANGELES — Myles Storms and Guillermo Ocasio each scored three goals and the University of La Verne men's water polo team held off a fourth-quarter surge by Occidental to beat the Tigers 11-10 Saturday afternoon.

Stat Leaders

Ocasio added a steal to go with his three goals and Storms added one assist.

Ryan Lehotsky had a big game in the cage, stopping nine shots and grabbing one steal.

Charles Ortega added two goals and one steal. Vasil Halchev scored twice and added one assist. Joey Sabers found the back of the net once and dished out one assist. 

The Tigers were led by Cian Concannon's three goals. Nicolas Lipari totaled three assists, two goals, and two steals. 

How It Happened

The Leopards jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period off goals by Storms, Ocasio, and Storms. 

After goals by Storms and Ortega put the Leopards up 5-2 late in the second quarter it looked as if La Verne would run away with the game. But the Tigers had other plans and netted three goals to tie the game 5-5 at the half.

La Verne pulled back in front with a 4-0 third quarter highlighted by penalty goals by both Ocasio and Halchev. 

Occidental gave the Leopards a scare in the final period when Concannon got the game to within one point to cap off a 5-2 run by Oxy with 1:13 remaining in the game. But Leopards held on for the 11-10 victory.

Season Impact

La Verne improves to 8-14 overall and 3-6 in conference action. The Tigers fall to 9-12 overall and 1-7 in the SCIAC.

Next Game

La Verne returns home to face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday, October 30 at 4 p.m.