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Sagehens peck at Leopards’ injuries

La Verne's struggles continued Saturday against Pomona-Pitzer as the Leopards dropped their second straight game after losing to the Sagehens, 22-2. Quarterback Aaron Becker (#12) scrambles from Pomona-Pitzer defenders Jacob Reid (#31), Patrick Maloney (#32) and Khary Espy (#4). / photo by Liz Lucsko
La Verne’s struggles continued Saturday against Pomona-Pitzer as the Leopards dropped their second straight game after losing to the Sagehens, 22-2. Quarterback Aaron Becker (#12) scrambles from Pomona-Pitzer defenders Jacob Reid (#31), Patrick Maloney (#32) and Khary Espy (#4). / photo by Liz Lucsko

by Danny Craig
Sports Editor

A struggling University of La Verne offense and an injured group of lineman set the scene at Ortmayer Stadium for the Leopards’ 22-2 defeat to Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday.

With the frustration of the Leopards’ first defeat to Pomona-Pitzer in 18 years, ULV head coach Don Morel attributed the struggle to the injuries he has dealt with throughout the season.

“Our offensive line is not very good right now and it’s not a knock on them. We’re beat up and we’re doing the best we can,” said Morel.

Morel’s squad scored its only points at 10:45 in the first quarter. Sagehens quarterback Brian Ferrete jumped on a loose ball in his own end zone to give the Leopards a safety and a 2-0 lead early in the half.

Although the brunt of Pomona-Pitzer’s scoring rally did not begin until the second half, the ensuing portion of the half undoubtedly belonged to the Sagehens.

A 6-yard touchdown carry from Pomona-Pitzer running back Ryan Hattersley and a failed two-point conversion with 3:08 left in the half created a 6-2 score as the game entered the half.

The second half provided opportunities for both squads to score, however the Sagehens capitalized on the situation in the third quarter to create the game’s final score.

Early in the third quarter, Pomona-Pitzer found its second opportunity at 10:51. Pitzer back-up quarterback Teohua Sanchez capped a four play, 18-yard drive by scoring on a keeper up the middle. After a blocked extra point, the score was 12-2.

The Sagehens scored again near the eight and two-minute marks to finish the reign over ULV.

On the third play of the series, running back Jonathan Sample scored on a 23-yard run into the end zone. The extra point made the score 19-2 midway into the quarter.

Pomona-Pitzer kicker Eric Nielson kicked a 20-yard field goal for the final score, 22-2 before entering the game’s final quarter.

Sagehens coach Roger Caron said that he considered the win an honor considering his team’s previous record playing ULV.

“It’s La Verne. That in itself was a good win, however it’s more beating a team like this that’s bigger, faster and has more players,” said Caron.

Caron’s squad launched a total 218 offensive yards, 96 of which came from Hattersley’s rushing. Caron said that they relied on their running game because of the Leopards exceptional pass coverage.

“We didn’t think we’d be able to air it out because we can’t get open on these guys,” he said. “I think they were daring us to run up the middle because we’re so much smaller than they are.”

After giving up seven sacks for a loss of 86 yards, the Leopards gained a total of 151 offensive yards. The defeat brought ULV to a 1-1 conference, 1-3 overall record.

“We’re not good on offense and we need to get better,” said Morel. The head coach said he was pleased however, with the equal time spent on the field by the offense and defense.

Morel said that the Leopards will attempt to rebound off the defeat when they face the University of Redlands tomorrow in ULV’s Homecoming game.

Going into the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference bout, the Bulldogs (2-3) come off a 41-17 victory over Chapman University. Both the Leopards and the Bulldogs share a defeat to Azusa Pacific University in their pre-conference play. ULV lost to the Cougars 27-23 and Redlands was ousted 56-30 in an offensive shootout.

With the struggles experienced against Pomona-Pitzer, Morel said he intends to restructure offensive and defensive configurations to better suit tomorrow’s opposition.

Needing a change from Saturday’s performance, Morel told his squad after the game that in preparation for Redlands the team, “will find out who the real football players are.”

Kickoff for the opposition, the spectators and Morel’s players alike will be Ortmayer Stadium at 1 p.m.

Danny Craig
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Liz Lucsko
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