The University of La Verne women's water polo team would split a pair of contests on first day of the 2013 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Water Polo Championships, defeating Caltech 15-7 prior to suffering a 14-7 setback to top-seeded Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Hat tricks by Nicole Tuning and Maddie Lovrensky would propel the Leopards over the Beavers in game one of the day. La Verne would open up competition with five straight unanswered goals in the first quarter. Tuning, Catie Tuning, Lovrensky, Ryanne Bible, and Justine Mojarro would all take part in the 5-0 run. Caltech would finally breakthrough and find the back of the cage with two goals near the end of the quarter but Nicole Tuning and Angela Cypher would quickly answer back to give La Verne a 7-2 lead heading into the second frame.
Catie and Nicole Tuning would combine for an additional three goals in the second along with teammate Zamora to help build a commanding 11-5 lead at the half.
Lovrensky, Katie Lacek, Bible, Melissa Pryor, and C. Tuning would combine to tack on eight goals in the last two frames to build a safe lead and cement the Leopard victory. The La Verne defense allowed just two goals in the second half of the victory.
La Verne would face off against top-seeded Claremon-Mudd-Scripps in game two of Friday evening's competition. Despite the Athenas building a quick 3-0 lead in the first, La Verne would cut the deficit to just one as Stephanie Tuning and Catie Tuning tacked on a pair of goals to keep the Leopards within striking distance. However, the Athenas would go on to outscore the Leopards 6-1 and build a resounding 9-3 lead at the half.
Bible and Catie Tuning would take the reins of the Leopard offense in the second half combining for all four La Verne goals after the intermission. However, the Athenas would continue to attack the goal matching all four Leopard goals to hand La Verne its first defeat of the championships.
La Verne will continue tournament action Saturday against Cal Lutheran beginning at 5:30 pm. Tomorrow's SCIAC Women's Water Polo Championships contest will be broadcasted live for free. In order to view the games visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/caltech-athletics. Please keep in mind there will be no audio commentary.
