Photo by Shira Oneal-Abend

LA VERNE, CA — The Leopards jumped out to a 5-2 first quarter lead, held off a push by the Warriors in the second, and scored six goals in the third quarter on the way to a 15-11 win at home against Westcliff Saturday afternoon.

Guillermo Ocasio could not be stopped as he led all players with five goals. He also added one assist and a pair of steals. 

Alam Barnuevo scored on all three of his attempts to go with his three steals and two drawn exclusions. Michael Staine added a hat trick of his own in the win to go with one steal and one drawn exclusion.

With a two-goal lead to open the second half, the Leopards went right back to work besting the Warriors 6-1 in the frame. Westcliff attempted to mount a comeback late in the fourth but it wouldn't be enough.

The Leopards got to work in the opening period, taking a 4-1 lead off of back-to-back goals by Peter Trinh and Staine. Trinh finished the game with a pair of goals. The Warriors battled in the second quarter outscoring La Verne 4-3 in the fame to cut the Leopards' lead to 8-6 at the break.

Goalie Jonah Alvarado played big in the cage for the Leopards finishing with two steals and seven saves including several big stops down the stretch.

The Leopards improve to 2-7 and Westcliff falls to 1-7.

Next Game

La Verne next hosts Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday, September 22 at 4 p.m.