THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran mens' water polo returned to the win column on Wednesday night, triumphing over La Verne 13-9 at the Samuelson Aquatics Center. 

The Kingsmen (13-11, 6-3 SCIAC) kicked off the game with a quick goal from Zane Hermann, just 16 seconds in. The Leopards were able to respond as the two teams traded goals, but the offense of Ethan Guereca and Kayden Sourbeer led the Kingsmen to a 4-3 lead at the end of the period.

Alam Chang-Barnuevo found the back of the net for La Verne to open the second quarter before the Kingsmen went on a scoring surge. Goals from Levi Cook, Sourbeer, Hermann, and Lincoln Hall put Cal Lutheran ahead 7-4 going into the half.

The Leopards (7-19, 2-8 SCIAC) struggled to keep up with the Kingsmen's five goals in the third, falling short in the match despite their four-point comeback attempt in the final period.

Sourbeer and Hall led the Kingsmen offensive with three goals each, followed by Guereca and Hermann who both had two. Cook, Alan Castillo, and Zachary Isaac each added one. Bo DuBois was in goal for the Kingsmen and recorded seven saves. 

For the Leopards, Peter Trinh led with three goals and Eric Bates made 11 saves as goalkeeper.

The Kingsmen hit the road this weekend, taking on No. 5 Chapman on Saturday at 11:00 AM.