Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

CLAREMONT, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2021) – The Whittier College women's soccer team put its defensive improvements on full display in its road rematch with Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Wednesday night.

The Poets held the Sagehens to four fewer goals than in their previous meeting back in September when Pomona-Pitzer was nationally ranked. This time, Whittier proved to be up to the defensive challenge, holding the home team to just two goals in what was perhaps senior goalkeeper Vanessa Martinez' (La Mirada, Calif. Fullerton) strongest game of the season. The senior made four saves and received ample help from the players in front of her to thwart any opportunities for the Sagehens. One of Pomona-Pitzer's goals came on a penalty kick, and with the other goal coming in the 37th minute, the Poets held the Sagehens off the scoreboard for the game's final 53 minutes as well as the entirety of the second half, showing they can batten down the hatches when they need to.

Head Coach Derek Hanks and the Poets will have a week off before hosting Occidental College (6-2-4, 3-2-3 SCIAC) for the second meeting of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

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