LA VERNE, Calif. — Despite being competitive in most games, not a lot has gone right for the La Verne women's soccer team to start the SCIAC season.

But the Leopards blew away the frustrations of the last few weeks with a convincing 2-0 win over Whittier on Wednesday night at Ortmayer Stadium.

La Verne improves to 3-10-0 overall and 2-7-0 in SCIAC play. Whittier falls to 4-5-4 and 2-4-3.

The Leopards have started many of their games this season with quality possession of the ball but just haven't been getting the bounces and would lose momentum. But at least for one game, everything turned around for La Verne and the Leopards got exactly the start they needed tonight.

In just the fourth minute, Jessica Hernandez split Whittier's defense down the middle off a pass by Kindal Cubak, created a 1-on-1 opportunity with the goalie and blasted one past Whittier's Alexi Cruz to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.

It was like a shot of energy. The Leopards continued to make good movements on and off the ball, cut off Whittier's possessions early and cleared anything that did get into their defensive third. Whittier just managed four shots and La Verne goalkeeper Heather Seman only had to make three easy saves for her first shutout of the season.

The Leopards seemed to get better as the night wore on, outshooting the Poets, 9-1, in the second half and Alexa Smith added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute. Cambria Smith dropped the ball off to Alexa Smith near far post off a free kick from the left side and Smith tucked it away for her first goal of the season.

With the Poets pushing up the field, the Leopards had a couple more scoring opportunities but just missed them.

Hernandez was sharp all night, getting three shots--all of them on frame--off excellent runs. Cubak also registered three shots.

The Leopards are back in action on Saturday at 11 a.m. against Redlands.