CLAREMONT, CA — The University of La Verne women's water polo team 2019 campaign came to an end Friday evening as the Leopards fell to Pomona-Pitzer in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament semifinals 9-8.

The Leopards finish the season 11-14 overall. The Sagehens advance to face Cal Lutheran on Sunday.

Ilene Guerrero led all players with three goals including one with 1:26 left in the game to tie the game 8-8.

Shelby Garcia did everything she could to keep the Leopards in the game. The junior played big in the cage, totaling 12 saves and one steal.

Guarina Garcia added two goals an assist. With five seconds left in the game coming out of a time out, the senior from Puerto Rico got off one final attempt, but the would-be tying shot bounced off the crossbar.

The Leopards capitalized off their powerplay attempts, scoring on five of nine opportunities. 

Jassmine Kezman, Kelly Riedel, and Victoria Mezack each found the back of the net once. Mezack also dished out a game-high three assists. Sage Nowell added two assists. 

La Verne gave the No. 1 seed Sagehens one of their toughest games of the season. Coming out of halftime trailing 6-5, the Leopards came out on fire in the third outscoring Pomona-Pitzer 2-1 in the period.

Tied 7-7 at the start of the fourth, Isabella Villa gave the Sagehens back the lead scoring less than a minute into the frame. 

Late in the period, Guerrero tied the game,  firing a shot to the back of the net off a Mezack assist. But the game wouldn't stay tied long with Anna Yu putting the Sagehens up for good.

Villa, Yu, and Lucie Abele each scored twice for the Sagehens.

The Leopards finished with a 9-5 SCIAC record this season, four more wins than last season.