WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2021) – Freshman midfielder Shayla Sakkakhanaune (Clovis, Calif. / Buchanan) scored the first goal of her NCAA career, as well as the first goal of the season for the Whittier College women's soccer team when No. 3 Pomona-Pitzer Colleges came to town on Saturday afternoon.

Sakkakhanaune, who delivered one of a pair of prime chances for the Poets on Saturday, scored off a pass from sophomore midfielder Samantha Ceballos (Whittier, Calif. / St. Paul) in the 70th minute. The freshman's successful strike showed the young Poets could answer back against one of the most talented, battle-tested teams in Division III. Defensively, Whittier's goalkeepers contended well at points with Pomona-Pitzer's immense offensive pressure. Freshman starter Arizbeth Juarez (Whittier, Calif. / California) and senior Vanessa Martinez (La Mirada, Calif. Fullerton) combined to make 13 stops for the Poets, with Juarez garnering eight of the saves.

Head Coach Derek Hanks and the Poets will be back at home on Wednesday, Sept. 15 when they take on the University of La Verne (0-4) in search of their first win of the season.

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