Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Soccer team remains in the hunt for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Post-Season berth Saturday as they played to a scoreless draw with Occidental College.
Despite being outshot 19-11, Whittier's defensive unit was able to stand strong as the Purple & Gold moved to 5-6-5, 3-5-4 SCIAC remaining in 6th place in the SCIAC Standings.
Twenty minutes in, Whittier had an opportunity to go in front. Jenna Muise (Chino Hills, Calif.) sent a corner to the back post toward Leila Afrasiyabi (Los Angeles, Calif.), but she couldn't connect on the back end. In the 30th minute, Francesca Escobedo (Fontana, Calif.) was able to slip past the back line for a shot but her angle wasn't great but forced Gunny into her first save of the game.
Then with time running out in the first half, Kaela Reisfelt (Beverly Hills, Calif.) got into the mix making a nice run across the face of Gunny and getting a head on the cross but it would miss wide as the score would remain tied at the break.
In the second half Karla Alas-Lopez nearly connected with Julie Khil in the 65th minute on one of the games best chances. Alas-Lopez played a ball over the top of the Poets defense to Khil, who timed her run perfectly, had a nice first touch but just didn't get enough on the shot, as it would roll to Alexi Cruz (Long Beach, Calif.) between the posts.
Whittier continued to play strong inside the box throughout the second half clearing anything and everything turning away four shot attempts by the Tigers. Lauren Kai (Torrance, Calif.) had a great look in the 60th minute for the Poets. She dribbled the ball up the right side of the field and put in a shot but it would soar over the back left corner of the goal.
In the first overtime period Oxy had the best look for the game winner. Khil put a shot on goal, which was saved by Cruz. The rebound would go back to her and she would put another on frame but it would be blocked and sent out.
Then in the second period, neither team was able to get off a shot as the game would finish in a draw.
Cruz finished with eight saves for the game posting her fifth shutout of the season. Kai led the Poets on offense with four shots with two being on goal.
Whittier remains on the road this Wednesday, October 26 as they travel to Claremont, Calif. to take on the Athena's with game time set for 7:00pm.
