Spots 'out-pawed' by stripes

by Gloria Diaz
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The University of La Verne men's soccer team faced another hurdle in its most difficult week of the season Wednesday. ULV went up against the Occidental Tigers and were once again shut out by a score of 1-0.

The first half was marked by hits and misses as both the Leopards and the Tigers made several attempts to score.

Late in the second half, the Tigers managed to score, putting them on the score board first.

ULV lost with a score of 1-0, making this its fourth straight loss.

On Saturday, the Leopards continued to struggle in their fight to stay afloat in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings, as they lost to the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens by a score of 7-1.

The first half belonged to the Sagehens as they dominated. Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Pomona-Pitzer had already scored twice.

The first goal came from Matt Lee-Ashley. The second, coming only two minutes later, propelled the Sagehen lead to 2-0.

The Leopards showed that they, too, can play aggressive soccer, as they would not let the previous goals of the game get them down.

They struggled to maintain control of the ball at the cost of a few scrapes and bruises from the falls they took.

The Sagehens would not relent in their fight to keep the Leopards at bay.

Despite ULV's efforts, the Sagehens were able to slip three more goals past the Leopard defense before the end of the first half.

Coach Cres Gonzalez could be heard from the stands yelling to his team on what the next move should be.

The Sagehens continued to outwit the Leopards as they managed to slip the ball past ULV goalie Derek Ramirez, scoring twice in the second half.

But the Leopards would not go down without a fight. In the last five minutes of the game, defender John Helmer scored a header to bring ULV its only goal of the game.

Goalie Derek Ramirez managed to block five of Pomona-Pitzer's attempts in the second half.

This match up would give ULV its third straight loss.

Next the Leopards will host Whittier at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Ben Hines Field and Cal Tech at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Ben Hines Field.