Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
LA VERNE, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Soccer team extended their winning streak to five games Saturday evening as they held off the Leopards of the University of La Verne 1-0 in overtime.
With the win, the Poets remain undefeated at 5-0, 2-0 SCIAC, while La Verne drops to 3-2-1, 1-1 SCIAC.
"La Verne is a solid team and has some good speed along the flanks," explained Head Coach Monica Gerardo. "I think we were able to close them down for a majority of the game with organized defense. We worked well as a unit, shifting, closing and picking up players. Our defensive mentality in the box was awesome tonight and much of the credit goes to our back line and midfield on the defensive side of the ball."
Fifth year senior Madison Shipherd (Whittier, Calif.) continues to run the offense adding the game winner in the 91st minute, her eighth of the season. Lauren Kai (Torrance, Calif.) had the ball in a dangerous area just outside the top of the box and the Leopards had no choice but to foul. Shipherd then took the free kick herself and put it away to the top right corner from about 20 yards out that gave the Poets the 1-0 victory.
"Maddy is always going to produce for us and she definitely had a target on her back last night," Gerardo stated. "The entire team stepped up to alleviate some of that pressure, thus creating more time and space for her to create on the offensive end. The goal was created by numbers in the attack, great possession and a decision by sophomore Kai to go at the defense. She was taken down outside the box, so Maddy stepped up and nailed the game winner, far post, upper V.
Whittier controlled the shot count in the first half 7-2, and in the second they weathered the storm from the Leos who took six with two good looks from Alexa Smith and Maribel Duran with both shots missing high and wide.
Alexi Cruz (Long Beach, Calif.) continues to remain strong between the posts for the Purple & Gold finishing with just two saves on the evening but picking up her fourth straight shutout.
Shipherd finished with nine shots with six being on goal, while freshman Miranda Yzabal (Whittier, Calif.) totaled three.
"It was a night of an entire team effort this evening," explained Gerardo. "We had great support coming from all corners of the field and the stands. That's what our Poet Family is all about…team first."
Whittier looks to extend their streak this Wednesday, September 23 as they travel to Chapman University to take on the Panthers beginning at 4:00pm.
