Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Soccer team failed to a hold a 1-0 lead Saturday night as the University of Redlands managed to come back to pull off the 2-1 road victory.
The Purple & Gold were looking to stay perfect on the season but now suffer their first loss as they drop to 4-1, 1-1 SCIAC. They now sit in a four-way tie for 3rd place within the SCIAC Standings.
The Poets managed to get on the scoreboard first coming in the 36th minute from freshman Sophie Nicotero (Sun City, Calif.), who notched her first connection of her career. She completed a corner kick from Clarissa Field (Whittier, Calif.) with a header in the box, which put WC on top 1-0, a lead they would hold into the half.
Redlands came out in the second half as a new team firing off eight shots and playing more physical. Alexa Groesser had a look on goal within the first minute of the frame, but it ultimately was saved by Poet goalie Stella Thermos (Seal Beach, Calif.). But the junior keeper was unable to hold onto the ball as it rebounded back to Groesser who was then able to tap it in for the game-tying goal.
Groesser wasn't done there though as she would come back down in the 62nd minute receiving a cross from the wing, which she was able to put away to put UR on top 2-1.
Whittier was then forced to play catch-up over the final 28 minutes and attempted to find the equalizer as Leah Kolek (Diamond Bar, Calif.), Jazmin Gomez (Norwalk, Calif.), Aubrey Baran (La Mirada, Calif.), and Miranda Yzabal (Whittier, Calif.) would get shots on goal but they all would be denied by Bulldog keeper Hannah Menk.
The final attempt came with five minutes to play from Andrea Aldama (Gardena, Calif.) who sent a long strike from outside the 40 just underneath the crossbar but that too was denied as Menk would deflect it over the goal.
Redlands outshot Whittier 16-15 with each team recording three corners apiece. Thermos picked up her first loss on the season as she finished with six saves.
Whittier remains at home this Wednesday, September 20 as they host Chapman University beginning at 7:00pm.
