Photo by samsphotoservices.com

Los Angeles, CA — Oxy Athletic Events on Homecoming and Family weekend got started with an absolutely thrilling men's water polo game between the La Verne Leopards and the Tigers. 

The beginning of the game was a low scoring affair as both teams played solid defense throughout the 1st period, with the Leopards having a 2-1 advantage on the scoreboard after Lars Schubert got Oxy on the board during a power play in the period. 

At the start of the 2nd period, Lucas Washburn would tie the game after James Derrod made an impressive save on a shot that otherwise would have extended the Leopard lead. La Verne took the lead back on a nice goal, but later on good Tiger defense led to a fast break and a score from Danny Miller to tie the game at 3.

The Tigers scored the next two goals of the game and led 5-4 at halftime. The 3rd period is where the scoring really picked up in the game, as Oxy scored 5 goals in the 3rd period alone, with two coming from Jacob Carlson. Jack Schroeder was in at goal for the Tigers in the 3rd made a nice save on a crazy spinning shot attempt from a Leopard offensive player. 

Thanks to their strong defensive play Oxy took a 10-7 lead into the 4th period, but La Verne cut the lead to 1 by scoring the first two goals of the period. Danny Miller would respond by barely sneaking a shot past the La Verne goalie to extend the lead to 11-9.

The two teams began to trade scores as each time the Tigers would extend the lead, the Leopards responded with a goal of their own to get their deficit back to one goal. Eventually La Verne scored the equalizer and tied the game at 13. Both teams had chances to score before the end of regulation but the game would head to two 3 minute OT periods. 

Oliver Wilkins got Oxy out in front with a goal in the first 3 minute period tied it up at 14 before the end of that period and the game stayed tied heading into the second 3 minutes of overtime. In this period, La Verne was able to score the go ahead goal and hold on by playing solid defense to keep the Tigers from scoring. 

The Leopards won by a score of 15-14 after a back and forth game that had multiple lead changes and ties. Oxy is now 11-7 on the season overall and 2-3 in SCIAC play. Their next match up comes on Wednesday October 23rd at home against the University of Redlands.