Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
ORANGE, Calif. – The Whittier College Men's Soccer team got back on track Wednesday afternoon following two tough losses in overtime to roll past Chapman University 2-0 at Wilson Field.
"Today's game was a great example of the resilient spirit of this team, explained Head Coach Shea Harwell." We did not play at our best in the first half, but we grinded out the result in the second with a commitment to tremendous effort and teamwork. Jorge Rivas (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.), senior goalkeeper and captain led us in the back alongside defender Rudy Cessna (Anaheim, Calif.) and Gonzalo Martinez Zorzi (Necochea, Argentina). Up top captain James Suri (Lake Forest, Calif.) worked tirelessly for us with Connor Tait-Mole (Livermore, Calif.) and Jacob Conlon (Placentia, Calif.) who made sure we always looked threatening on offense. This is an exciting time for our program and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together."
Chapman looked to get the lead early from Sam Rudich on the first shot of the match but his strike hit the far post and was immediately cleared away that kept the game deadlocked. CU continued to add the pressure outshooting the Poets 8-2 the rest of the half but the defensive unit by the Purple & Gold weathered the storm to get into the half tied up at 0-0.
The second half started in favor of the Panthers holding a ton of possessions early but Rivas managed to pick up four of his six saves during that stretch that helped him pick up the win and his second shutout of the season.
Whittier found opportunities in the second half as well as they capitalized on a pair of counter attacks. Suri scored the first goal in the 55th minute after being played behind the Panthers back-line. He assisted on the second goal when he played Tait-Mole behind the defense to the far post in the 87th minute.
Chapman held the edge on shots 21-9 and had the advantage on corner kicks 6-1.
Suri and Conlon each finished with three shots for the game, with Suri finishing with two on goal, a goal, and an assist.
Whittier remains on the road this Saturday, September 17 as they face-off against the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands beginning at 1:00pm.
