CC Flaherty
Staff Writer
The women’s water polo team came up short with an 18-15 loss to Saint Francis, a fierce Division I team, on a rainy evening March 6 at the La Verne Aquatic Center.
The Leopards put up a solid fight after coming off a strong win over Caltech the night before, 16-9.
The Leopards used this non-conference game to implement things they have been working on in practice. Given the rain and harsh conditions, the Leopards continued to have great communication and grit throughout the game. They were improving on things that will help them in their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games.
During the first quarter the Leopards were down 5-3 and Saint Francis came out strong with two goals in the first three minutes of play. The Leopards hung with them as the first two goals were scored by center graduate student Olivia Taylor and senior attacker Reiley Burton.
“I was excited for a non-conference game to practice, so I think it was pretty lighthearted and fun. But also working on things so we can shape up for conference,” Burton said.
As the second quarter was underway both teams stayed agressive from the offensive and defensive side of play. The Leopards were bringing frustration to Saint Francis with their loud presence and energy. It was back and forth on the scoreboard until Saint Francis finished above the Leopards going into halftime with the score being 9-6.
“I thought the ladies did well,” head coach Robert Echeverria said. “They were communicating in the first half because it was difficult for them to really see the field of play. Just bringing out the energy, defense, and then being confident on the offensive end. In the first half it was a three goal game at the end of half, so our offense was really going which kept us in the game.”
The Leopards’ bench was fired up with their loud cheering and supportiveness.
“The thought process there is just we have to get back up and still go as hard as you can. Also pick it up a notch and just keep pushing,” Taylor said.
As the third quarter started Saint Francis scored three goals within the first four minutes and kept the Leopards’ fiery offense from scoring until five minutes in.
Senior center Brianna Zapata scored back-to-back in the third quarter for the Leopards with assists from Burton.
Saint Francis stayed aggressive on offense, scoring a goal with seconds left on the clock closing out the third quarter, 14-9.
“I don’t think there was any wavering thought that we weren’t still in the game. I think we still thought we were in the game,” Zapata said.
The Leopards had a great start to the fourth quarter with three goals in the first three minutes. Saint Francis was trying to keep their lead and added four more points to their score.
Zapata showed her confidence and grit, ending their scoring run with a goal for the Leopards with a minute left in play.
Despite the 18-15 loss, the Leopards showed up and put up a fight against Saint Francis University. The top performers for the Leopards were Zapata with six goals, Burton with three goals and one assist and Taylor with two goals.
La Verne returned to SCIAC play with a 21-10 loss to the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens on Wednesday in Claremont. The loss drops them to 2-11 overall and 1-1 in conference.
The Leopards will host Whittier at 11 a.m. Saturday at the La Verne Aquatic Center.
CC Flaherty can be reached at catherine.flaherty@laverne.edu.
CC Flaherty is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine, and a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is also a broadcast announcer for La Verne Athletics and has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times.
