Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Men's Soccer team saw their senior day spoiled Saturday as they dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the University of Redlands at the Donald E. Graham Soccer Field.
Prior to the game, Head Coach Shea Harwell recognized his five seniors that were taking part in their final home game of their collegiate career. These seniors included Moncef Bouzar (Salinas, Calif.), Ryan Wood (Wilmslow, England), Pablo Gomez (Cardiff by the Sea), Dylan Fortin (San Diego, Calif.), and Denzel Hartshorn (Grand Junction, CO).
Redlands (11-2-1, 13-2-2 SCIAC) used a strong first half with two goals coming on 11 shots both coming from Alexander Knox that gave UR a 2-0 lead at the half. The first coming in the 35th minute, which he slotted home past Whittier keeper Jorge Rivas (Lake Forest Calif.), after receiving a ball in the box from Vidal Ornelas.
Less than three minutes later, Redlands earned a corner kick, which led to a quality look by Keoni Yates but it bounced off the post. However, Knox was there to make the most of the second-chance opportunity, as he poked it past Rivas to put UR in front 2-0.
The Purple& Gold managed to get off just two shots in the first 45 minutes of action, one taken from Wood which was blocked in front of the goal and the other from Gomez, which was saved by Bulldog keeper Josh Haskill right before intermission.
In the second, Whittier battled back firing off six shots and finding the back of the goal in the 61st minute from Hartshorn who earned a through ball from Wood, which he finished past Haskill that cut the deficit to one.
Jacob Conlon (Fullerton, Calif.) thought he had a look for the equalizer minutes later getting a great look from on top of the box but it ended up being turned away from Haskill. The Poets would fire off another four shots soon after but all would be off the mark as Redlands would hold on for the 2-1 win extending their winning streak to eight, while holding onto the top spot in the SCIAC Standings.
Rivas, in the loss picked up six saves against eight shots, while Jacob Schaniel (San Diego, Calif.) led the offense with two shots.
Despite being knocked out of playoff contention, the Poets look to act as spoilers in this final week of competition as they hit the road for two games; beginning with Chapman tonight, Monday, October 26 beginning at 7:00pm before taking on La Verne this Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00pm.
