Photo by Emily Alvarez

LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's water polo team outscored Caltech 5-0 in the second quarter on their way to a dominating 18-10 win at home Wednesday afternoon.

Alam Barnuevo led the Leopards offensively with four goals and three assists and added a pair of steals in the win. After Caltech's Matthew Hajjar tied the game 4-4 with just under three minutes left in the opening quarter, Barnuevo found the back of the net less than a minute later to put La Verne up for good.

The goal started a 7-0 run for the Leopards capped by back-to-back goals by Michael Staine. Staine finished the game with three goals and two steals. 

Guillermo Ocasio and Cody Lehotsky each scored a pair of goals. Lehotsky added two steals and an assist. Christian Gonzalez and Asher Kocalis each dished out a pair of assists and both scored once. 

Gage Unsoeld, Jason Soo Hoo, and Danilo Lugli all scored once.

Ryan Lehotsky was solid in the win recording nine saves in three quarters of work. Jonah Alvardo played the final eight minutes grabbing five saves. 

Hajjar led Caltech with eight goals. 

The Leopards grab their first SCIAC win of the season improving to 3-11 overall and 1-5 in the conference. The Beavers move to 1-11 overall and 0-7 in the SCIAC.

La Verne next heads to Occidental on Saturday, October 23 at 11 a.m.