Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2021) – Senior goalkeeper Vanessa Martinez (La Mirada, Calif. / Fullerton) of the Whittier College women's soccer team made four saves for the Poets on the road against Occidental College on Wednesday evening.

Martinez and the Poets were forced to contend with an experienced and deliberate Tigers attack that brought a considerable amount of heat, particularly in the first half. Whittier fared significantly better in the second half, when all three of their shots found a way to the opposing goalkeeper. The visiting team's first chance over the final 45 proved to be one of their best, when a Michelle Abarca (Long Beach, Calif. / Artesia) header in the box threatened the opposing keeper off a corner kick from senior midfielder Joey Wescott (Agoura Hills, Calif. / Agoura Hills), but was ultimately scooped up for the save. The Poets also had a scoring opportunity in the 77th minute when freshman Kaelin Jacey Francisco (Brea, Calif. / Troy) fired off a rebound originally stemming from a saved shot from senior Janelle Guzman (Montebello, Calif. / Schurr) that would ultimately be blocked by an Oxy defender.

Head Coach Derek Hanks and the Poets will have an opportunity to earn their third SCIAC win of the season when they take on Caltech at home on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

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