Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Sagehens looking to get revenge on the Poets after last year's defeat in the first round of the SCIAC Post Season Tournament were unable to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit falling Wednesday evening at the Donald E. Graham Soccer field.
Whittier now improves to 4-2, 3-0 SCIAC moving into a tie for 1st Place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Standings along with Cal Lutheran University who defeated Redlands this evening 1-0 to stay undefeated blanking their third straight opponent.
Senior George Montalvo (Whittier, Calif.) added the eventual game winner less than two minutes to play in the first half. After a shot by Dylan Fortin (San Diego, Calif.), Montalvo was able to pick up the rebound off of Sagehen keeper Nigel Brady and find the back of the goal.
This would be the only goal Whittier would need as they limited Pomona-Pitzer to just seven shots in the second half en route to their third straight victory. Once again the defensive unit proved that they are one of the top defenses in the conference as they have now played three games outscoring opponents 11-2.
Despite being outshot 13-11 and seeing Pomona-Pitzer hold a 6-5 advantage on corner kicks, the Purple & Gold were able to stand strong late in the second half making any scoring opportunity difficult.
Francis Maxwell (Hydebark, Scotland) finished with a team high four shots with two being on goal, while freshman Jorge Rivas (Lake Forest, Calif.) between the posts picked up his fourth win of the season and his first shutout victory of 2013 turning away three shots including the game tying shot minutes into the second half when he made a diving play to his left to deny Nathan Shekita after he had sent his first shot off of the post.
Whittier looks towards the weekend matchup when they host the University of Redlands, Saturday, September 21 beginning at 7:00pm.
