LA VERNE, CA — Illene Guerrero scored with 2:06 remaining in the game to tie the Cal Lutheran Regals 12-12 and the University of La Verne women's water polo team looked poised to upset the Regals Tuesday afternoon at Las Flores Park.
But a steal and a breakaway goal by Kaitlin Gardhouse with 35 seconds left to play sealed the win for Cal Lutheran.
Season Impact
The Leopards drop to 3-8 overall and 1-3 in the SCIAC. The Regals improve to 10-6 overall and remain an undefeated 4-0 in conference play.
Stat Leaders
Guerrero and Jassmine Kezman each scored four times for the Leopards. Guarina Garcia scored twice, dished two assists, and added one steal.
Sage Nowell added two assists with two steals. Victoria Mezack and Alicia Thompson scored a goal apiece. Shelby Garcia registered eight saves including a five-meter penalty shot and a steal.
Nicole Roed and Marcell Ramirez each scored three times for Cal Lutheran. The Regals took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring on five of their seven attempts.
How It Happened
Christin Hirn gave the Reglas the opening 1-0 advantage but La Verne responded with a 3-1 run capped off by a five-meter penalty goal scored by Kezman.
The Regals responded in the second quarter, opening the period on a 3-0 run before the Leopards were able to recover and tie the game 6-6 at halftime.
After the squads traded four goals each in the third quarter, Guarina Garcia gave La Verne the first lead of the fourth quarter just over a minute and a half into the frame.
Roed put the Regals up 12-11 when she capitalized on a five-meter penalty with 2:30 to play. The lead was shortlived with Garcia connecting with Guerrero just twenty-four seconds later to tie the game.
It looked as if the game was destined for overtime until Ramirez poked away a pass and found Gardhouse for a one-on-one goal. The Leopards had 35 seconds to work with but couldn't connect.
Next Game
The Leopards are back in action on Saturday when they host Claremont-Mudd-Scrips at 11 a.m.
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