SportsWater Polo

Water polo destroys Chapman, 20-4

Maria DeSantis, freshman goalie, starts off La Verne's offensive drive toward Chapman's net. This would be a common sight throughout the game for the Leopards as they recorded 20 goals. It was the team's first Division III opponent of the season. Tomorrow the team will dive into the Claremont Tournament as it gets its first taste of SCIAC opposition. / photo by Matt Wright
Maria DeSantis, freshman goalie, starts off La Verne’s offensive drive toward Chapman’s net. This would be a common sight throughout the game for the Leopards as they recorded 20 goals. It was the team’s first Division III opponent of the season. Tomorrow the team will dive into the Claremont Tournament as it gets its first taste of SCIAC opposition. / photo by Matt Wright

by Jason Cooper
Staff Writer

Women’s water polo and the defeats handed to them by the giants of Division I seemed to be for the better as the Leopards returned home last Saturday a much stronger team.

La Verne squared off against the Panthers of Chapman who turned out to be just house cats. The Leopards defeated Chapman, 20-4.

“Playing against Division I teams showed us a higher level of play,” said Tim Hugar, head coach, “but it brought our play along much faster. It made us better.”

Theresa Taylor was the highest scoring player. She netted four goals and helped with two assists.

“We were fired up and ready to whoop it, ” said Taylor. “It felt really good to win.”

The Leopards received offensive help from everyone. In the end, only one person on the ULV bench did not score.

Another key to La Verne’s success was the play of freshman Andrea Griffith. The physical two-meter woman netted three goals of her own.

Offense was not the only factor in La Verne’s victory. Solid goaltending from freshman Maria DeSantis was also key for the Leopards. Only letting four goals in, DeSantis had 12 saves.

La Verne also received strong defensive play from freshman Tandis Morgan and Griffith.

We had excellent defense,” said DeSantis. “We did an excellent job playing the lanes. Everyone was heads up.”

The experience that La Verne carries playing on the college level is none. The team starts all freshman. Many players are playing the game for the first time.

Katie Aimone is one of many players new to the game. On Saturday, she made her own contribution to the Leopards cause by scoring two goals.

The La Verne women's water polo team defeated Chapman College on Saturday. The Leopards scored at will, winning 20-4 in the team's first win of the season. Prior to Chapman, ULV had primarily played Division I opponents. Goalie freshman Maria DeSantis turned in an outstanding performance allowing only four goals. The win increased ULV's record to 1-5. / photo by Matt Wright
The La Verne women’s water polo team defeated Chapman College on Saturday. The Leopards scored at will, winning 20-4 in the team’s first win of the season. Prior to Chapman, ULV had primarily played Division I opponents. Goalie freshman Maria DeSantis turned in an outstanding performance allowing only four goals. The win increased ULV’s record to 1-5. / photo by Matt Wright

“It felt so cool to score,” said Aimone. “I was so excited. They were the first two goals in my life.”

Help from everywhere was the deciding factor in La Verne’s victory. The Leopards play was not reminiscent of their past losses.

“As a team we overcame our past losses,” said freshman Cambria Smith. “We came together as team and won.”

Hugar recognizes that the Leopards are getting more accustomed to each other and says that is also helping there cause.

“We had four days of practice before our first tournament,” said Hugar. “People were just trying to get know each others name before they got used to each others play.”

The Leopards will get their first taste of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opposition this weekend, playing both Saturday and Sunday, at a tournament hosted by the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas.

“We have to play tough and physical this weekend,”said Hugar. “We have to play well.”

Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
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