REDLANDS, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2022) - The Poets earned their first conference win of the 2022 season, defeating the Redlands Bulldogs on the road Saturday, led by two assists from freshman Rowan Slater and an impressive game-winning goal in the 89th minute by freshman forward Charlie Bentley.

"I knew they would give me some time and space to hit one from deep," Bentley said of his goal, "I'm glad I was given the opportunity and most importantly that it helped seal the win."

The Bulldogs struck first with a Yusef Mayet score at the 30:28 mark.

Senior defender Hayden Barnouw put Whittier on the board, scoring off a corner to tie the the match at one in the 51st minute.

With less than two mintues remaining in the match, Bentley unleashed a long drive that found the top right of the net, giving Whittier a 2-1 lead. The goal, Bentley's second of the season, would prove to be the game-winner as the 2-1 score held.

Slater's two assists were the first of his collegiate career.

Senior goalkeeper Teddy Nickerson picked up his first win of the season, saving seven of eight shots on goal in the contest.

"The boys were dominant in the second half, which speaks to their belief in one another," Whittier head coach Shea Harwell said. "They went from down a goal to a freshman scoring the game-winner for them with a couple of minutes left. I'm proud of the win but so much prouder of the resilience and fortitude these guys showed tonight."

The Poets return home to host the Caltech Beavers Wednesday at 7 p.m.