Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team held a two goal advantage in the second half and threatened the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Wednesday night but a late 6-0 run would prove costly as Whittier would fall 10-9.
Despite the loss the Poets made huge strides as they fell 14-4 in the previous match-up with Pomona-Pitzer back on February 8.
"The girls have come a long way since the first game of the season, which was against Pomona-Pitzer", explained Head Coach Trish Bonagura. "A big difference between the first time we played them and tonight was that we were more consistent. Unfortunately we did not come out on top, but we have made a lot of progress and will continue to do so for the remainder of the season."
PP added the first strike ten seconds in but back to back scores from Daniella Delledera and Shaina Denny would put the Purple & Gold in front 2-1. The Sagehens would regain the lead with their own two at the 17:03 and 12:38 marks until Denny added her second goal that tied the game up at four.
Ally McLaughlin would give Pomona-Pitzer a 4-3 lead after the first half but in the second Whittier would explode for three unanswered, which included another two goals from Denny, with one being a man-up, while Lily Baxter capitalized on a free position shot.
With Whittier Leading 6-4 with 22:47 to play Pomona-Pitzer put together their own run adding six straight in a four minute span with two goals from Rebecca Long and two from McLaughlin that put the Sagehens in front 10-6.
But the Poets didn't back down and would put together one final push adding the final three goals of the game all coming from Denny, with two being made on free positions that pulled them within one 10-9. They managed to grab the draw control with 1:21 to play in the game looking to tie the game up but a turnover would put the ball back with the Sagehens as they would spread the field running out the clock preserving the one goal victory.
Denny had seven of the nine goals on the evening on 11 shots with four groundballs a draw control, and two caused turnovers. Nicole Yorba played all sixty minutes collecting 13 saves on 23 shots, while Gaby Fukumura for Pomona-Pitzer had eight on 17 shots.
Whittier remains at home this Saturday, April 12 as they host the University of Redlands beginning at 11:00am.
