Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2021) – The Whittier College women's soccer team broke through in a big way on Wednesday evening when they handed a 4-1 defeat to the University of La Verne in Whittier, to earn its first win of the season and a crucial three points in SCIAC play.

The Poets moved the ball particularly well in the offensive end, generating chances early and often before converting them to goals. Whittier peppered La Verne with nine shots on goal over the full 90 minutes and found the back of the net four times in the highly physical affair. Three of the Poets' goals came in the first half, paving the way for their defense to tighten up over the final 45 in front of rookie goalkeeper Arizbeth Juarez (Whittier, Calif. / California). Juarez made seven stops for the home team and earned the first victory of her college career.

"This win feels truly amazing," Head Coach Derek Hanks said. "To have such a young roster, 17 true freshmen, and to come away with three points in our highly competitive conference says something about the determination and grit that these players bring day in and day out. The leadership that our returning players have brought so far this year and the culture they are helping create has been remarkable and a joy to be a part of."

Freshman Layla Traylor (Covina, Calif. / Oak) opened scoring for the Poets in the 10th minute on just their fourth shot of the game. Classmate Elizabeth Roybal (West Covina, Calif. / South Hills) found Traylor with a strong leading pass, allowing Traylor to use her speed, beat the opposing keeper and roll the ball into the back of the net. Fifteen minutes later, Whittier's freshmen connected again, this time with forward Juliana Hodgson (Fullerton, Calif. / Sunny Hills) taking a high bouncing ball from defender Sarah Blackmore (Beaverton, Ore. / Aloha) heading it into the open area. Hodgson, however, was not done. The freshman would score again in the 33rd minute off a Shayla Sakkakhanaune (Clovis, Calif. Buchanan) corner kick that also touched midfielder Madison Cooper (Gresham, Calif. / Central Catholic) before finding its way into the La Verne net. While the Leopards would respond immediately, the young Poets were unfazed and went on to ensure the visitors would not score again. Whittier padded its lead in the 65th minute when a perfectly placed free kick from freshman Blackmore found its way to the foot of Roybal at point-blank range, giving the Poets a 4-1 cushion.

Senior goalkeeper Vanessa Martinez (La Mirada, Calif. / Fullerton) succeeded Juarez at the 79-minute mark as the women's soccer team put the exclamation point on its first program win in nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whittier's last victory came in the form of a 3-1 win at Caltech, and Wednesday also marked the first time Whittier has beaten La Verne since the 2018 season. With a top-notch performance in front of the home fans under their belt, Hanks and the Poets will get back to making the incremental improvements necessary to continue competing amongst the SCIAC's best.

"Our focus is to get better every day," Hanks said. "We talk daily about what we did well and what we can improve on. This group isn't afraid to put in the work to make sure we keep improving and myself and the rest of the coaching staff can't wait to see what these student-athletes can do next."

Hanks and the Poets will try for back-to-back conference wins when they travel to Chapman University (3-0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 18.

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