Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Soccer team opened up Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play Saturday as they played Chapman University to a 1-1 draw.
The Purple & Gold faced hot conditions in the morning but end their two-game losing streak improving to 0-2-2, 0-0-1 SCIAC. They also hand the Panthers their first non-victory on the season as they drop to 4-0-1, 0-0-1 SCIAC.
Whittier who has been held scoreless over their last three games found the back of the net in the 87th minute that forced extra time. After a scoreless first half, where WC was limited to just one shot, both teams came out firing in the second combining for 17 attempts, with Whittier holding the advantage 9-8. Chapman got on the scoreboard first in the 65th minute from Riley Pidgeon who connected off a free kick that bounced up and over freshman keeper Samantha Pearson (Long Beach, Calif.).
It looked like the go-ahead goal might stand but with under three minutes to play Whittier converted the equalizer off the foot of Joey Wescott (Agoura Hills, Calif.) who was fed by Jazmin Gomez (Norwalk, Calif.) from on top of the box. Wescott snuck a strike in far post past a diving Kelsey Bland sending the game into OT.
In extra time Whittier pushed the tempo outshooting Chapman 6-5. In the first OT period WC got off two strong looks from Gomez and Alexis Huff (Henderson, NV) but both would be denied. CU also had a look at the game-winner with under a minute to play as Anna Montemor sent a shot back post but her attempt would hit the side and cleared keeping the game deadlocked.
Each team earned corner kicks to start the second period with Whittier's Emma Barrera (Pasadena, Calif.) being able to pick up a pair of shots on frame, but both attempts would be stopped by Bland. The final attempt for the Purple & Gold came from Janelle Guzman (Montebello, Calif.) who saw her shot in traffic blocked.
Whittier was outshot on the game 21-16 and was at a slight disadvantage on corner kicks 5-4. Vanessa Martinez (La Mirada, Calif.) picked up the draw playing 45:29, while collecting five stops. Pearson, despite giving up the one goal also had five saves. Gomez had a big game offensively finishing with six shots, four being on frame along with an assist. Barrera added two shots and Amanda Ramirez (Yucaipa, Calif.) with a pair as well.
Whittier returns to the field Wednesday, September 18 as they host Cal Lutheran University beginning at 4:00pm.
