Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Men's Soccer team matched up well against Claremont-M-S Wednesday evening at the Graham Soccer Field providing a threat to the Stags but couldn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss.
Whittier (2-5, 1-4 SCIAC) had a number of opportunities throughout the contest but just couldn't convert as CMS escaped with the road victory improving to 6-1, 4-1 SCIAC.
The Purple & Gold had the first chance in the game three minutes in. Sergio Fuentes (Albuquerque, NM) took a corner and found the head of Ricardo Pena (Bell Gardens, Calif.) who headed it on frame but Stag goalie Daniel Cui was able to make the save.
Minutes later the Poets had two more opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Rudy Cessna (Anaheim, Calif.) pulled out Cui in the box was able to get around the keeper and flick a shot towards an empty goal, but defensiveman Jacob Skoll was able to slide in on the crease to make the defensive save.
He would deflect the ball towards a waiting Jacob Conlon (Placentia, Calif.) who put a shot on an empty goal but Cui was able to hustle back in time to make the diving save keeping the game scoreless.
Whittier maintained their offensive prowess over the next 20:00 minutes as Darren Holmes (Newcastle, UK) would come up with the next shot on frame forcing Cui to come up with another save at the 25:45 mark.
On the Stags ensuing possession they would be able to convert on a rare chance in front of the goal. Isaiah Alba gave a nice through ball to Elijah Lichtenberg on the end line who then sent in a cross to a waiting Patrick Burke who connected for the eventual game-winner.
In the second, Whittier put three shots on frame within a minute looking for the equalizer. James Suri (Lake Forest, Calif.) took a strike forcing Cui again to come up with a big save. Matteo Loi (Kirkland, WA) then took a shot on top of the box, which was blocked and Sage Shepard (Corona, Calif.) would then send one wide.
In the 82nd minute Whittier had their best look to send the game into OT. Suri took a shot and Cui came up with a huge save that rebounded into the box to a waiting Jason Henderson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) who had a wide open goal. Henderson would then take the shot but would come up empty as it would miss just right allowing CMS to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
Jorge Rivas (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) finished with five saves playing all 90:00. Shot differential was close with CMS holding an edge 22-18, while Whittier was 5-4 on corner kicks.
Suri led the offense with five shots with two on goal.
Whittier hits the road for a match-up with La Verne this Saturday, September 24 beginning at 7:00pm.
