Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

POMONA, Calif. – Sophomore Sophia Garcia's third goal of the season couldn't come at a better time, as it propelled the Whittier College women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Saturday morning to help the Purple & Gold earn their second straight SCIAC victory.   

With the win Whittier moves back to .500 at 4-4, 2-2 SCIAC, while Pomona-Pitzer drops to 2-4, 1-3 SCIAC.

Whittier and Pomona-Pitzer remained scoreless throughout the first half until the 44:15 mark when Garcia was fed by Corinne Cleveland with a touch at the top of the box, which found the back of the goal to give the Poets a lead going into the half.  Cleveland started the play from outside the penalty area near the right sideline, as she sent a diagonal cross to the far side. Garcia was shoulder-to-shoulder with a Sagehen defender and was able to fight her off and one-time a shot from 15 yards into the upper-left corner of the goal. 

Coming out in the second half, junior Shanna Falch came up big with two saves making a diving stop against Claudia Zaugg and then following that up with a stop against Allie Tao who recovered the loose the ball in front of the net.  The Sagehens had one final chance in the remaining minutes as Ying Fry whipped a cross to the far post.  Nicole Quilliam sprinted in to try and poke it in but the ball bounced over her leg and out of bounds.  That proved to tbe the last opportunity for the Sagehens as the Poets held on for the one goal victory. 

The Sagehens outshot the Poets 17-6 for the game and held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Purple & Gold were led by Madison Shipherd on offense who finished with three shots with all three being on goal, while Garcia took two shots with both being on goal. 

Falch picked up the shutout win in goal for the Poets as she allowed no goals on 17 shots, while recording six saves.  Her counterpart, Annie Wedel was saddled with the loss for the Sagehens as she allowed one goal on four shots, while recording three saves. 

The Poets will return to action they travel to Thousand Oaks, Calif. on Wednesday, September 26 where they will square off against the Regals of Cal Lutheran University in a night cap at 7:00 p.m.