Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2021) – The Whittier College men's soccer team played one of its tightest defensive games of the season in Saturday's rematch with first-place Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Saturday afternoon, the 10th-ranked team in Division III.

After Wednesday's attacking frenzy of a game with Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Saturday's SCIAC game slowed down considerably by comparison thanks to a more measured approach from both teams. In fact, it took both teams until the second half for either goalkeeper to record a single save. However, the Whittier counterattack thrived at points thanks to some timely tackles from freshman Jackson Busby (Lake Stevens, Wash. / Lake Stevens) and senior Matt Slee (Bothell, Wash. / The Overlake School), which helped open lanes for wingers Daniel Hayes (Chicago, Ill. Northfield Mount Hermon) and Tommy Yarbrough (Encinitas, Calif. / La Costa Canyon) to test the Stags down the left side.

Furthermore, the Whittier defenders helped keep the danger away from junior goalkeeper Teddy Nickerson (Seattle, Wash. / O'Dea), who stepped up when needed to make four saves for the home team. The Poets' efforts off the ball were also successful for the game's first 85 minutes, making it the longest stretch of time the Stags have been held without a goal during the 2021 SCIAC slate.

Head Coach Shea Harwell and the Poets will next rematch Chapman University on Wednesday, Oct. 20 in Orange before returning home this weekend to take on the University of California, Santa Cruz in a Sunday tilt beginning at noon.

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