Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2021) – Freshman forward Lawerence Dydell (Redmond, Wash. / Woodinville) of the Whittier College men's soccer team scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season against the University of California, Santa Cruz in Sunday's non-conference game, one in which the Poets came up just shy of achieving their sixth win of the season.

The goal happened as quickly as the play developed. Classmate Jackson Busby (Lake Stevens, Wash. / Lake Stevens) delivered a beautiful, arcing pass towards the right side of the field that found the foot  of Dydell, who had created enough space between he and the Banana Slugs around him to hammer home the goal and give the Purple & Gold the game's first lead. The Slugs, however, refused to go away were able to knot the game at one goal apiece headed into the second half, though it did not stop the Poets from creating chances. The visitors needed to make a pair of defensive saves in order to keep the Poets from going up 2-1, one of which came following a header from senior Parker McDonald (Corona, Calif. / Santiago) that would have likely made it past the keeper had it not been for the visiting team's 6-foot-5 center back deterring the ball's path.

The non-conference nature of the game allowed several Poets to come off the bench and accrue some valuable minutes. Sophomore goalkeeper Lachlan Davidson (Portland, Ore. / Central Catholic) drew the first start between the pipes of his intercollegiate career, and responded by making a pair of big saves and several more clears over the game's first 60 minutes. From there, Davidson gave way to freshman Mario Floriano (Anaheim, Calif. / Servite), who also acquitted himself well by helping to hold the Slugs off the board for the remainder of the game. Ultimately, the size and experience of the visiting team would win out, but the short-handed Poets performed well in spots in spite of the obstacles in front of them.

Head Coach Shea Harwell and the Poets will turn their attention to Senior Night on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Following a brief pre-game ceremony, the Poets will take on the University of La Verne (3-11-1, 1-9 SCIAC) at 7 p.m.

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!