by Meridith Zembal
Staff Writer
Leopards, Tigers and Sagehens, oh my! After the tough loss to long-time rival Cal Lutheran, the La Verne women’s soccer team came back and won both conference matches it had this week.
The winning week began with a game Saturday against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens.
“The first half we struggled a little bit,” said senior Nancy Santana. “But we picked it up in the second.”
Santana scored the first of three goals scored that night. The shots on goal were fairly even, but thanks to goalkeeper Kim Schrepfer, not one got by. Schrepfer completed the game with total of 10 saves.
Forward Giselle Ortega had a beautiful goal in the second half. Taking an assist from Adriana Ramirez, Ortega took a one touch shot off a crossover and scored.
“The let down from the Cal Lutheran game had an effect on us,” said head coach Wendy Zwissler. Although the Leopards won, it was still apparent that the game on Oct. 3 had not been forgotten.
The Leopards still continued to dominate the game, Heather Cooper scored the third and final goal for the game. The win helped the La Verne record climb up to 4-3.
The second game of the week was last Wednesday against the Occidental Tigers. Once again the girls won showing a dominating demeanor. The ball was in Tiger territory the majority of the game. Occidental has always played physical, and this game was no different. The Leopards fought back strong against the flying elbows and hips, and came together for the win.
During the Cal Lu game, a red card was given to La Verne’s Ashley Polan. The Leopard starter was forced to sit for the entire Pomona game but she returned for Wednesday’s game to help out in the win.
Cooper shined again with a goal in the first half putting the only point of the game on the board. Cooper headed the ball into the net from about two yards out for the score.
“We’re hanging in there,” said Zwissler. “We’re ready to pick up the pace as we sharpen up for the tough end of our season.”
As the team continues to come together, they will play the best they can for the remainder of their season.
Play resumes next at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Whittier. The Poets beat the Leopards last time they met, but La Verne is confident they will come back and win this weekend. The Leopards now have a SCIAC record of 5-3.
Meridith Zembal
