ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2022)- Whittier traveled to Orange Saturday to face the Chapman Panthers in a game with playoff implications. The Poets were also looking to win consecutive conference games for the first time this season and ended up doing just that. This was a big match in terms of keeping Whittier's postseason hopes alive, as it is now tied for the sixth and final playoff spot with Chapman, the team it beat Saturday.

The Poets were also shorthanded Saturday, playing without senior attacker Thomas Baier.

The first period opened with Chapman scoring quickly. After this first goal though, it was the Patrick Seelhorst and Luke Shropshire show. Seelhorst capitalized on great positioning right in front of the net, using his strength to take charge and scored three first-period goals. Shropshire scored twp of his own, sniping them from distance. As the period ended, goalie Pierre-Louis Pinchaud stood his ground, stopping a penalty shot. The period would end with a 5-1 Whittier lead. 

Seelhorst and the rest of the team did not miss a beat when they came out for the second. They continued to dominate on both ends of the pool. The men scored another five goals this period to bring their total to 10 in the half, while only allowing one goal to Chapman. Multiple Poets were outscoring the enitre Panthers team at halftime. 

As the second half opened, Chapman began to mount a comeback. Seelhorst was able to score once again to bring his total to five on the day. After going on a little run, Chapman only trailed 12-7. 

The final period consisted of much of the same. Whittier was able to hold Chapman to three goals and Seelhorst scored once again. The Poets would take the victory, 14-10. 

Seelhorst led the charge with seven goals and an assist. Ethan Saenz and Shropshire also tallied multiple goals in the game, while Pinchaud came away with a .545 save percentage. 

The men's next match will be next Wednesday the 26th as they travel to Redlands to take on the Bulldogs. Whittier will look to continue its win streak, with each game critical for playoff contention. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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