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Water polo treads in choppy waters

ULV men's water polo senior driver Jason Walters (No. 8) is defended by Bradley Roslyn (No. 3) of Bucknell University, in the Claremont tournament last weekend. Bucknell won 14-9 over La Verne. The Leopards won two and lost two in the tournament. / photo by Amy Babin
ULV men’s water polo senior driver Jason Walters (No. 8) is defended by Bradley Roslyn (No. 3) of Bucknell University, in the Claremont tournament last weekend. Bucknell won 14-9 over La Verne. The Leopards won two and lost two in the tournament. / photo by Amy Babin

by Chrissy Zehrbach
Sports Editor

With conference action looming, the University of La Verne men’s water polo team is struggling to stay afloat.

The Leopards went 2-2 this weekend at the 11th Annual Claremont Convergence Tournament hosted by the Claremont Colleges.

ULV started and ended the weekend with wins, but could not pull it together in between.

“We played two games very well,” head coach Tim Hugar said.

On Saturday, the Leopards defeated Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competitor, Occidental College, 7-3.

“It was good to dominate Occidental since they were our only conference opponent this weekend,” said sophomore Justin Haas. “We played our strongest game of the weekend against them.”

ULV had suffered a loss, however, that morning to Bucknell University, 14-9.

“We had a decent second half but didn’t come out and play well in the first half at all,” Hugar said about the game against Bucknell.

The Bison had a 3-1 lead in the first quarter and increased it to 7-2 at the half.

Fighting back, the Leopards matched Bucknell for the remainder of the game, but could not pull through.

Friday ULV suffered a loss to Chaminade University, 10-8, following a 7-6 win over University of Michigan’s club team.

The Leopard’s scoring against Chaminade was consistent with two goals each quarter, but the Silverswords had the edge and slipped ULV for the win.

“They came more ready to play,” Haas said. “We didn’t have our heads in the game.”

The Leopards had the slight advantage over Michigan, however, and took the win by one goal.

Goalkeeper Kevin Morris recorded 14 saves for the Leopards against Michigan.

“It’s always a good experience playing different teams outside the conference,” Haas said. “The more games we play the more prepared we’ll be for the next.”

Conference action begins at 2 p.m. tomorrow for the Leopards. In a back-to-back match, they will once again face Occidental.

“We’re ready to take on our conference opponents,” Haas said. “Since the weekend, we’ve picked up the intensity in practice to better prepare ourselves.”

Having just faced Occidental, the Leopards feel prepared. This time the Leopards take on the Tigers Occidental’s pool in Los Angeles.

Haas said the pool is smaller than typical and may affect the game.

“Our strength is swimming and counter attack ­ with a shorter distance we don’t have as far to swim. It will be a more physical half-court game,” he said.

Despite the struggles the team has experienced thus far this season, ULV maintains a No. 7 ranking in the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s Division III Men’s Water Polo Top 10 Poll.

Chrissy Zehrbach, Editor in Chief
Chrissy Zehrbach
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