LA VERNE, Calif. – The Whittier College men's water polo team finished the regular season with a 10-9 victory over the Leopards of the University of La Verne collecting their second SCIAC win on the season.

Whittier finishes the regular season 9-18 overall and 2-5 in SCIAC play, while La Verne drops to 5-22 and 2-6 in SCIAC.

Early in the game Whittier jumped out to a 4-1 lead thanks to a plethora of Poet scorers including Eric Bonander, Kyle Catino, Wes Paulson, and Erick Gonzalez.

In the second frame Whittier was held to one goal by Carlos Panfilo and the Leopards came back to tie it up at 5-5 entering the break.

Coming out of the break the game remained close as both teams exchanged goals until the very end.  In the third both teams added two goals, as Panfilo added his second goal of the contest, while Kurt Holzmuller added his first. 

In the final frame, Whittier added a quick two goals from Michael Eachus and Holzmuller, but the Leopards added another two to tie up the game.  Gonzalez then tacked on the go ahead goal late and with just under a minute to go, La Verne received a man advantage situation and two took shots within 30 seconds that Poet goalie Ryan Rock turned away to preserve the one goal win.  For the day, Rock collected 10 saves.

The Poets look to make a run in the SCIAC Post Season as they travel to UC San Diego searching to make it to the SCIAC Championship Game for the second straight year.