LA VERNE, CA — The Leopards battled with St. Francis (PA), scoring in the second period of overtime to force sudden death, but the Red Flash got the first good look in the final frame and scored to beat the Leopards 11-10.

Jassmine Kezman led all players with six goals, three assists, and two steals. Senior Victoria Mezack did her job, dishing to open players to record a game-high five assists.

Jordan Ehara, Ilene Guerrero, Kelly Riedel, and Mezack each scored once. Shelby Garcia recorded 10 saves.

Julia Bradford and Erin O'Neil led the Red Flash with three goals apiece.

Despite the Red Flash playing house defense for most of the game, the Leopards were able to keep pace St. Francis, going goal-for-goal with them through the first three quarters.

Tied 8-8 heading into the fourth quarter, Kezman gave La Verne the early advantage in the period, scoring with 4:46 remaining in the game.

It looked like the Leopards would be able to shutout St. Francis and send the Red Flash home with a loss, but Bradford was able to find the back of the net with just 20 seconds left to force overtime. 

St. Francis took the early lead in overtime, scoring a minute and a half into the period. The Leopards responded in the second period of overtime with Kezman finding an opener Guerrero to force sudden death.

Next Game

The Leopards get back to SCIAC action on Wednesday first with a 4 p.m. home game against Cal Lutheran, then a 7 p.m. game at Caltech.