Chris Villanueva '09 scored four goals and added three assists as Whittier College Men's Water Polo cruised to a 16-2 victory over the University of La Verne in SCIAC action on October 22.  It is the fifth straight win for the Poets who are now 11-9 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

The Leopards (2-15, 0-2) scored the first goal of the game less than a minute into the game.  It would be their only first half goal.  The Poets scored five in each of the first two quarters as they took a 10-1 lead into halftime.  Villanueva and Alex Hernandez '12 each scored three first half goals. 

The Poets didn't let up in the second half, outscoring La Verne in the third and fourth quarters.  Two goals in the third and two more to open the fourth completed a 14-0 Poet run. La Verne was able to tally their second goal with just two minutes left in the game.  Whittier tacked on two more goals before the final whistle blew to take home the 16-2 victory.

Villanueva's seven points led the Poets offensively.  Hernandez also had four goals.  Cameron Lew '12 finished with a pair of goals and three assists.  Will Jackson '11 scored on a five-meter shot and was credited with four assists.  Ryan Catino '12 scored twice and Chris Hartman '12 had a goal and an assist.

Whittier goalkeeper Casey Regehr '12 was stellar in goal, making eleven saves.  He also helped out the offense with a pair of assists.

The Poets will battle with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on October 25.  The Stags won an earlier meeting between the teams 5-3 at the Inland Empire Classic to start the season.  The SCIAC match-up is scheduled to begin at 11:00am in Claremont, Calif.