Not one but a two goal performance, including a late game tying equalizer by senior forward Alexander Bastidas helped the La Verne Leopards start SCIAC conference play on a positive note.
The Tigers are no strangers to the leopards as last year these two teams faced off against each other in the SCIAC conference semifinals. Occidental went on to not only win that match, but also went on to win the SCIAC Conference Title and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The last time these two teams faced it ended in a 4-1 final result and the Leopards were coming into this contest looking to not repeat last year’s results.
Occidental started off the game with two back to back shots on target and eventually led to the first goal in the first 4 minutes of play.
The leopards eventually were able to start possessing and attacking more and 5 shot attempts later, La Verne forward Alex Bastisdas found the back of the net with 15 minutes left in the first half.
The contest went back and forth in the first half with the Tigers finishing with 5 shots on goal and the Leopards with only 3.
The Tigers started the second half with 9 attempted shots on goal and eventually found the back of the net thanks to an 87 minute penalty by Senior midfielder Elijah Edelman.
If you think the game ended there , then you are mistaken.
With 30 seconds left to play, the La Verne Leopards forced a ball inside occidentals box and after a ricochet of a tigers defender it was once again Alex Bastidas with the tap in to equalize the game and score his second the night to end the game 2-2.
