SportsWater Polo

La Verne takes on Inland Empire

Junior Will Hernandez (No. 11) shoots against Ron Rameson (No. 13) of the Cal Maritime Academy Keelhaulers on Sunday at the La Verne Aquatic Center. ULV beat Cal Maritime Academy, 17-3, in the 2003 Inland Empire Classic Men's Water Polo Tournament. / photo by Jenna Campbell
Junior Will Hernandez (No. 11) shoots against Ron Rameson (No. 13) of the Cal Maritime Academy Keelhaulers on Sunday at the La Verne Aquatic Center. ULV beat Cal Maritime Academy, 17-3, in the 2003 Inland Empire Classic Men’s Water Polo Tournament. / photo by Jenna Campbell

by Chrissy Zehrbach
Sports Editor

It was a comeback weekend for the University of La Verne men’s water polo team which found its first wins of the season as co-host of the Inland Empire Classic Tournament.

The Leopards went 2-2 on the weekend, defeating Cal Maritime Academy and Cal Lutheran University.

ULV lost only to Division I opponents UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara.

Sunday the Leopards dominated Cal Maritime. ULV fended off the Keelhaulers’ offense while the Leopards racked up 17 goals, resulting in a final score of 17-3.

This game followed a tougher challenge from UCSB in which ULV was shut down, 12-7.

“Santa Barbara is loaded with very experienced players,” head coach Tim Hugar said. “We had to be sharp and we played real well. We didn’t back down from them at all.”

Saturday afternoon the Leopards faced their closest competitors, Santa Clara.

ULV was focused throughout the contest and fought hard to keep in the game. Neck and neck for the majority of each quarter, the Broncos came out victorious 8-6.

“It was a tough game,” said senior Jason Walters. “It was close. We should have won, but we didn’t capitalize on some opportunities.”

Earlier in the morning, the Leopards controlled the game against Cal Lutheran, scoring 10 unanswered goals in the first quarter and holding the Kingsmen to limited shots.

“We came out strong with a lot of intensity,” said Will Hernandez, junior.

The Leopards took the game against Cal Lu 15-4 for a great start in the tournament.

This was, however, Cal Lu’s first competition as a water polo team. The program is new to their athletic department.

“They lacked a goalie and some numbers but they’ll get better,” Walters said.

Walters and junior Owen Barrett were on fire at the tournament. They each tallied 10 goals in four contests, propelling their team’s success.

The tournament was more of a success for the Leopards than their opening weekend at the UC San Diego Tournament, where they went 0-4.

“We’re stronger physically and have had one more week to work together,” Hugar said. “We’re just starting to get strong.”

“We’ve improved a lot,” Walters said. “We’re still young and learning to play together.”

This weekend the team will travel to Santa Cruz to compete in the UC Santa Cruz Tournament. The Leopards will once again face Cal Maritime and Santa Clara as well as UCSC.

“We know what to expect now,” Walters said.

Chrissy Zehrbach
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Jenna Campbell
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