LA VERNE, Calif. — After a gut-wrenching loss to Pacific (Ore.) in which it allowed two goals in the last 10 minutes, the University of La Verne women's soccer team bounced back in a resounding fashion and beat Benedictine (Ill.), 2-0, on Sunday at the Ortmayer Stadium.

Kelsey Varner put the Leopards on top in the 23^rd minute with her first goal as a Leopard and JJ Weaver sealed the win in 51^st minute with a midrange strike.

How it happened: Things were clicking on all cylinders for La Verne. The back line cleared and cut off every attempt, the midfield trio controlled the center of the field and all three forwards were active in attack.

The Leopards came through in the 23^rd minute when Kelsey Varner converted on a perfectly executed set of passes. Cambria Smith played a long ball to JJ Weaver who released Varner with a pinpoint through ball past the two center halves. Benedictine goalkeeper Maddie Frye saved Varner's initial shot, but Varner calmly collected the rebound and poked it into the open net.

It was over when: Weaver trapped a poor clearance just inside the top left of the penalty box and drove one past Frye into the upper right corner to put the Leopards up, 2-0, in the 51^st minute. Alexa Smith had put in a low, driven cross that was cut off by Frye, but the defender couldn't clear it with enough distance.

Player of the game: Kelsey Varner was a menace on the right side all night long and wreaked havoc on the Benedictine defense. She put in good crosses, cut inside with efficiency and was aggressive in shooting. She put three shots on goal on six total shots.

From Head Coach Lauryn Pehanich:

On what the team emphasized: "I told them that we're too talented of a team to not win games due to communication. And I think communication was really lacking in our game on Friday (vs. Pacific). … Communication opens up windows, it opens up space, it opens up the whole field. [The athletes] are very talented individually, but communication is what unites us."

On Kelsey Varner: "She's was very active outside for us. She's a very athletic forward.  We are really excited about what she's going to bring athletically to the outside, her ability to run and work the line."

Stat of the game: La Verne outshot Benedictine, 19-1. The Leopards completely dominated the match and it showed in the final shots tally. La Verne easily could've had at least two more goals, but Frye was valiant in the net for the Eagles with eight saves. La Verne's Delanie Pacheco was rarely troubled.

What it means: La Verne books its first win of 2014 in an impressive fashion. The Leopards will look to build on their foundation in the remaining non-conference games leading up to the SCIAC season.

Up next: The team will enjoy a 10-day break before continuing non-conference action at NCAA Division II Cal State San Bernardino on Sept. 11 at 12:30 p.m.