Julian Mininsohn
Staff Writer
The women’s water polo team defeated Caltech 15-7 at Las Flores Park Friday. The game was the Leopards’ second game in the annual Claremont Convergence event.
The Leopards’ quick offensive start and a hard-nosed defensive effort were the major keys in the victory.
“We had good chemistry on defense,” La Verne head coach Alex La said. “The more games we play, the more our offense has come together.”
The Leopards’ fast-paced start gave them a 5-0 lead after the first quarter was highlighted by a penalty shot from freshman attacker Ryanne Bible. La Verne scored its first two goals within two minutes of play.
La Verne did not allow a goal until the 7:01 mark in the second quarter.
They went into halftime with a commanding 8-2 lead. The Leopards received goals from six different players in the first half.
“Coach just told us to do what we know how to do and finish the game,” sophomore defender Sarah Jefferis said.
La Verne picked up where they left off in the first half scoring five goals in the third quarter, which included scores from freshman center Catie Tuning and freshman attacker Justine Mojarro.
Tuning and Mojarro combined for four of the five goals in the quarter as La Verne lead 13-4 after three.
The Leopards gave up three goals in the fourth quarter, but added two more of their own to seal the 15-7 victory.
“We have been taught everything we needed to do,” Jefferis said. “We just have to know when and where to do them.”
Tuning and Mojarro led La Verne in scoring with three goals each.
Senior attacker Carly Bond led the Beavers with three goals of her own in the losing effort.
La emphasized a key point of improvement for his team as they move forward for the rest of the season.
“We won, but our offense needs to improve,” La said.
“We just got to work out the kinks,” junior center defensewoman Melissa Pryor said. “It’s all just about working on our timing.”
La Verne went 3-1 in the Claremont Convergence defeating, the Virginia Military Institute, 8-4, and Cal State San Bernardino, 7-5. The Leopards’ only loss was against Cal State Long Beach, 14-3.
The Leopards hold a 6-8 record on the season and are 0-1 in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Caltech is now 0-9 on the year.
La Verne’s next game is a match up agianst out-of-state opponent George Washington University at 11:20 a.m. at Cal Baptist Saturday. The game is part of the Cal Baptist Lancer Invitational.
Julian Mininsohn can be reached at julian.mininsohn@laverne.edu.
