COSTA MESA, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2021) – For the second game in a row, the Whittier College men's soccer team proved it has the ability to come on strong late in games and close out its opponents. On Saturday afternoon, the Poets made Vanguard University their latest victim with a 1-0 victory on the road.

Freshman midfielder Dominic Morello (Redwood City, Calif. / Woodside), who operated as a facilitator in Whittier's win at Marymount University earlier in the week, put the Poets on top with just 19 seconds to spare in full time. Morello's goal-scoring opportunity came as a result of a rebound created by a shot from classmate Lawerence Dydell (Redmond, Wash. / Woodinville) that hit the post, opening the door for Morello to pot the game-winner. Prior to Morello's goal, the Poets and Lions found themselves locked in a largely defensive game, though Saturday marked the second time in as many games the Poets have won despite being outshot by the opponent. Whittier's only other shot on goal came from sophomore midfielder Zach Guarino (Denver, Colo. / Cherry Creek).

Whittier's starting back four, made up of freshmen Jackson Busby (Lake Stevens, Wash. Lake Stevens), Saar Swanson (Bellingham, Wash. / Squalicum), Daniel Ramirez (Paramount, Calif. / Paramount), and senior Matt Slee (Bothell, Wash. / The Overlake School), did an outstanding job of limiting the traffic in front of junior goalkeeper Teddy Nickerson (Seattle, Wash. / O'Dea). Out of the Lions' 14 shots, just five found their way to the net with Nickerson turning away each of them. Four of the juniors' saves came in the second half as Vanguard began to increase the attacking intensity. Nevertheless, the Poets up a strong front, and moved to 2-0 to start the season for the first time in seven years.

Head Coach Shea Harwell and the Poets will look to make it three in a row when they host Providence Christian College on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. The game will also mark the first time the Whittier men's soccer team has played the Sea Beggars.