Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. - A penalty kick and an own goal Saturday evening doomed the Whittier College Women's Soccer team as they fell 2-1 to the University of La Verne at the Donald E. Graham Soccer Field. 

The first half proved a battle with Whittier maintaining an offensive presence early outshooting ULV 8-3 and holding an advantage on corner kicks 2-1.

Whittier (3-2-1, 1-1 SCIAC) looked like they regrouped in the second half continuing their offensive attack with Clarissa Field (Whittier, Calif.) and Francesca Escobedo (Fontana, Calif.) taking two shots on goal forcing Leopard keeper Heather Seman to come up with two big saves.

The Purple & Gold unleashed another four shots on frame soon after but all would be turned away by the ULV defensive unit that kept the game scoreless.  

In the 68th minute, the Poets fell unfortunate as they would be called for a hand ball in the box that gave La Verne a penalty kick.  Megan Hodgson would take the shot and would go top left past Alexi Cruz (Long Beach, Calif.) giving ULV  1-0 lead.  

Two minutes later, Whittier again fell upon hard times as Alexa Smith would take a shot from outside the box.  Andrea Aldama (Gardena, Calif.) attempted to deflect it away but it would end up getting past Cruz as an own goal despite Cruz being in perfect position for the save.

This would put La Verne on top 2-0 putting Whittier in a big hole with 20:00 to play.  

They wouldn't go away quietly however as they would push the tempo finally finding the back of the net with just under three minutes to play.  Field would take a corner kick and would find Aldama in the box who would take a strike off the ground putting it past Seman.  

This pulled the Poets within one but it would be to late as ULV would hold on for the road victory.

Whittier outshot La Verne 19-8 on the game and held the advantage on corner kicks 6-2.  Cruz finished with three saves playing all 90:00 and Leah Kolek (Diamond Bar, Calif.) and Aldama would take four shots each.                                         

Whittier looks to regroup as they travel for two games, first with Pomona-Pitzer this Wednesday, September 21 beginning at 7:00pm before going out to Redlands to take on the Bulldogs on Saturday, September 24 at 7:00pm.