LA VERNE, Calif. — Whittier used a 7-0 first half run to defeat the La Verne women's water polo team 9-6 on Saturday at La Verne Aquatic Center.

La Verne seemed out of sorts in the first half, especially in the second quarter. The Poets put away six goals in the second frame and shut the Leopards out on the other end to take a commanding 8-1 lead at the break.

The Leopards recovered to outscore Whittier 5-1 in the second half but it was too little, too late. La Verne opened the third quarter on a 3-0 run keyed by Ardelle Aquino who started the scoring and assisted on the other two goals to cut the deficit to 8-4. Aquino found the net once again in the fourth period and Guarina Garcia got on the board with 1:35 left in the game but that was all the Leopards would muster.

Aquino and Jasmine Bustamante each finished with two goals. Aquino also dished out three assists and Bustamante recorded three steals.

Zyania Morales, Kendyl Riley and Lindsay Shoaff all scored two goals apiece for Whittier.

The Leopards are back in action on Wednesday at Caltech.