Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

PASADENA, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2021) – An early goal from senior Mackenzie Reed (Mililani, Hawaii / Mililani) proved to be enough for the Whittier College women's soccer team to hold off Caltech, 1-0, on the road, giving the Poets a second victory over the Beavers in 2021. 

Reed's goal came just three minutes into the first period. Freshman forward Layla Traylor (Covina, Calif. / Oak) dished out a pass that set up her senior teammate in the center of the box for a point-blank goal not at all unlike one of the goals Reed scored when the Beavers came to Whittier earlier in the month. The successful strike gives Reed three goals against Caltech in just two games, and her four goals on the season lead the team. While Reed bagged the goal, the Poets would also see quality scoring opportunities from freshman Arianna Cisneros-Botello (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Glen A. Wilson) and senior Alexis Huff (Henderson, Nev. / Foothill).

From there, the Poets' defense took over, but not without some opposition from the home team. Despite being outshot, the Poets' goalkeeping tandem held firm. Senior Vanessa Martinez (La Mirada, Calif. / Fullerton) drew the start for Whittier and made three saves over the first 45 minutes, including a key diving stop in the 19th minute. Just like in the Poets' previous outing, Martinez gave way to freshman Arizbeth Juarez (Whittier, Calif. / California) in the second half, and the rookie netminder did not disappoint, stopping seven shots during the Beavers' superior half of play. Two of the saves came during the final 10 minutes of regulation, and a third and final Beavers' shot in traffic flew high over the net during the 88th minute, giving Martinez and Juarez a combined clean sheet, the Poets' first of any kind this season.

Head Coach Derek Hanks and the Poets will play their final road match of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the University of La Verne before returning to Memorial Stadium on the eve of Halloween for Senior Night against California Lutheran University. Kickoff for Saturday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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