Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's soccer team opened its SCIAC season with a bang, scoring five goals in a three-goal win over conference foe Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday evening at the Graham Soccer Field.

The Poets (3-2, 1-0 SCIAC) had an offensive explosion in the first 15 minutes of the second half as a 1-1 tie quickly turned to a 4-1 lead at the 58:07 mark.

Thomas Barber had his hands in two of the goals with assists to Srdan Jovanovic in the 48th minute and Adolfo Santos in the 59th.

Barber took possession along the sideline and played a cross to the far post to find an uncontested Jovanovic to make the score 2-1. After Ian Cromwell headed in his first goal of the season off a corner kick, Barber's second cross found the head of Santos who made the score 4-1.

Santos scored his second straight goal in the 71st minute to give the purple and gold a four-goal, 5-1, advantage. The junior forward finished with five points on two goals and one assist.

Statistically the Poets controlled the game, outshooting the Sagehens 28-17 for the game and earned 10 corner kicks to Pomona's one.

David Diaz made his third start of the season between the sticks coming away with seven saves and allowing just one goal in 81 minutes of action. The win is his first of the season as it pushes his goalie mark to 1-2.

Sam Russell started the scoring at 14:35 with a blast from the top of the box to the far post. The goal was his first of the year and came unassisted.

The Poets were able to test the Pomona-Pitzer keeper often, putting 11 shots on frame. Santos had three shots on target while Cromwell had two.

The Sagehens scored their first goal of the game on a penalty kick at 35:19 and tacked on the last goal of the evening at 85:51.

With the win, the Poets extended its regular-season SCIAC unbeaten streak to 12.

WC will have its hands full this weekend as it travels to Claremont, Calif., to battle Claremont-M-S at 1 pm. The Stags were 2-0 winners over Cal Lutheran in their conference opener.

The audio broadcast of the Whittier-Pomona-Pitzer game will be available for play back 48 hours after the match.