Whittier College Women's Soccer finished their 2008 campaign with a pair of losses in the final week of the season.  They lost 3-2 to La Sierra on October 29 and then 8-0 to SCIAC rivals La Verne on November 1.  Despite their 0-17 overall record, the Poets showed significant signs of improvement from the start of the season, providing a great deal of hope for the future of the program.

In the final home game of the season, the Poets turned in what was arguably their best performance of the season against La Sierra.  The Poets took nine shots in the game, five of which were on goal, and put pressure on the Golden Eagle defense with a number of promising offensive opportunities. 

A tough start, however, put the Poets in a difficult position.  La Sierra scored in the 7^th minute with a goal that squeaked under the outstretched arm of Whittier goalkeeper, Lea Betsworth '12.  Two minutes later, the Golden Eagles were awarded a penalty kick and converted on the opportunity.  In the 12^th minute, La Sierra got an insurance goal on another shot that was nearly saved by Betsworth.

The Poets fought back.  Chelsea Irha '12 scored her first collegiate goal in the 40^th minute on assists from Hannah Cooley '12 and Andrea Smith '11.  The score was 3-1 at the halftime break with the Poets gaining momentum.  Irha tallied her second goal of the game in the 67^th minute assisted by Stephanie Bergstrom '12 to bring the Poets within one goal.  For the remainder of the game, the Poets held the ball in the offensive end, but couldn't break through for the equalizer.  The score remained 3-2 as the final whistle sounded.  Betsworth shut out the La Sierra offense in the second half with five saves; she finished the game with eight.

In the final game of the season, the Poets struggled on the road against La Verne.  After a quick Leopard goal in the 4^th minute, the Poet defense held strong for the remainder of the half.  The second half, however, was a different story.  The Leopards scored seven times in the second stanza on their way to the 8-0 win. 

In the 2008 SCIAC Tournament, #4 La Verne takes on #1 Redlands in the first round with #2 Cal Lutheran facing #3 Claremont in the opening round.  Games will be played at Redlands on November 5.  The Poets finished seventh in the SCIAC standings.