ST. PAUL, Minn. — In the third game of the season, the Carthage College women's water polo team fell to No. 5 La Verne 22-9 on Sunday at Leonard Natatorium. 

The Leopards (4-3) struck first with three goals in the opening quarter before the Lady Reds (1-3) put in a goal of their own from Morgan Fingerson. After La Verne tallied two more goals, Megan Cales scored the second goal for Carthage. The Leopards would take a 6-2 lead into the second quarter of play. Kayli Sayatovic found the back of the net at the seven minute mark to make the score 6-3. Both teams tallied a goal to flip the score to 7-4 until La Verne added four unanswered goals extending the lead. A goal from Cales cut the deficit to six but La Verne headed to the third with a 15-5 margin. 

Two goals from Cales and Sayatovic shrank the deficit to nine however, La Verne controlled a 20-7 advantage into the final quarter of play. Although the Lady Reds tacked goals from Arianna Dakuras and Meghan Fisher in the fourth, the Leopards claimed the victory 22-9. 

Next, Carthage will face Wittenberg and Macalester on Saturday, March 7 with the first game starting at 12:15 p.m. 

Head Coach Ryan Castle

"La Verne is a very well coached and balanced team with loads of weapons. We were able to compete in certain aspects with them, particularly from Morgan Fingerson and Megan Cales on the offensive end. Emma Jeronimus once again was outstanding in the cage, and also contributed in the field for us. Overall it was a good first weekend for us, and lots to improve this week."

Quick Facts

• Emma Jeronimus made seven goal saves, including one five-meter penalty shot. Jeronimus also made her first appearance in the field recording one assist, three steals, one ejection drawn, and one field block. 
• Megan Cales put in four goals, one assist, with one ejection drawn finishing with 17 goals over three games. 
• Morgan Fingerson registered one goal, one assist, and two steals. 

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