Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Whittier College women's soccer team opened up their 2013 season in impressive fashion coming from behind in the final ten minutes of regulation only to see their comeback fall short 3-2 in double overtime to Cal State San Marcos ranked No. 17 in the NAIA polls.

Whittier got down early at the 11:51 mark when San Marcos' Jacqueline Lara scored from the left side after being fed with a long ball by the midfield.  Twelve minutes later the Poets had their first scoring opportunity coming off of a corner kick from freshman Leila Afrasiyabi (Los Angeles, Calif.) but they were unable to convert. 

Later in the half, junior Madison Shipherd (Whittier, Calif.) got into the mix and had a look with two minutes to play but her shot was sent wide sending the Cougars into the half up 1-0. 

Out of the break, CSUSM came out and struck first extending their lead to two after Paulina Good sent one over Poet keeper freshman Alexi Cruz (Long Beach, Calif.) from 30 yards out. 

But the Purple & Gold would not go away and responded at the 82:14 mark when Shipherd was fed by Afrasiyabi before dribbling up the left side cutting back to the center and connecting from the pk spot cutting the deficit to one.

Down by one with just under five minutes to play, Whittier added the game-tying goal thanks to Shipherd who scored from the left side after a free kick was sent to her from captain Kirsten Davis (Hilo, HI).  This forced the game into overtime and after a scoreless first OT period where senior goalie Shanna Falch (Doylestown, PA) made two big saves that denied CSUSM, she couldn't stop the third opening up the second overtime period from Ashley Barber who found the left corner of the goal after receiving a pass up the middle.

"Defensively we were a lot more organized than a week ago, which is very promising and they are grasping the concepts early", explained Head Coach Monica Gerardo.  "They played as a collective unit, was disciplined, never gave up, fought till the final whistle and gave themselves opportunities late to pull off the victory." 

"Just an overall team effort this afternoon, especially against a quality opponent.  This will play big dividends heading into our next two games this upcoming week."    

Whittier looks to bounce back as they return to action next week in the friendly confines of the Donald E. Graham Soccer Field when they host George Fox on Friday, September 6 at 7:00pm before taking on Pacific Lutheran on Sunday, September 8  at 11:00am.