Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – Fifth year senior Madison Shipherd (Whittier, Calif.) after sitting out last year with an injury, came out strong Wednesday evening completing her second career hat trick in a 4-1 victory over UC Santa Cruz to lift the Whittier College women's soccer team to their first victory of 2015.
In an action packed game at the Donald E. Graham Soccer Field, Whittier used a big second half with three goals to stun the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz avenging their 4-2 loss from a year ago.
Shipherd got the scoring started in the 5th minute after being fed in the box by freshman Aubrey Baran (La Mirada, Calif.) who had a quick touch from up top. Shipherd had another good look from 30 yards out off a free kick minutes later but would be denied after a great diving save from Banana Slug goalie Athena Del Rosario, which would keep the deficit to one.
In the 38th minute, UCSC would finally get on the scoreboard from Claire Lim who capitalized on a collision by Poet keeper Alexi Cruz (Long Beach, Calif.) and a defender that would send the game knotted up at one into the break.
But in the second half, it was all Purple & Gold led by Shipherd who connected fast and often that put the Poets in front for good. Twenty minutes in, Shipherd wound up being taken down in the box drawing the first PK of the season. She would drill that home to the bottom right corner that would put WC in front 2-1. Then in the 80th minute, she would complete the hat trick, taking a free kick from long range that got a great bounce near post that was mishandled by Del Rosario.
But Whittier wasn't done there, as they continued to pressure the Banana Slug defense as freshman Tess Peppis (Eugene, OR) would make a great run four minutes later into the box before crossing it to senior Maegan Garcia (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) in front of the goal who would put the finishing touches on the season opening victory.
Whittier outshot UCSC 16-5, led in shots on goal at 8-3, and held the advantage on corners 6-0. Shipherd took nine shots with five being on goal, while freshman Miranda Yzabal (Whittier, Calif.) had some good looks as she took two shots with one being on frame.
Cruz picked up the victory in goal facing just three shots on the evening, and totaling two saves.
Whittier remains at home this Saturday, September 5 as they host Smith College beginning at 7:00pm.
