Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2022) – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team pulled off a monumental victory in its home opener on Wednesday evening, defeating Chapman University, 11-10.

The Poets came into Saturday's contest with just three SCIAC victories over the last five seasons, but changed their fortunes in a hurry in the debut of first-year Head Coach Sara Allison. The Poets brought a blend of athleticism, skill and physicality to the Panthers from the onset, and coupled with the home team's proficiency on the draw, the visitors struggled to lead the dance. Instead, it was the Poets who kept themselves within striking distance all game before junior midfielder Payton Climer (Dallas, Texas) fired in the game-winning goal off a feed from classmate and midfield-mate Chella Davidson (Portland, Ore.). Prior to that, the Poets found themselves trading goals with the Panthers before gaining the upper hand one final time.

Whittier's ability to win the draw aided them throughout Wednesday's game, but particularly at game's end. With Climer's goal having found the back of the net with just 21 seconds to go in regulation, a faceoff win would have gone a long way towards the Poets securing a massive win over a SCIAC foe. Luckily, they were able to do just that, with sophomore midfielder Loren Sepulveda (Middleburg, Va.) winning it in the air, making it near impossible for the Panthers to put a final shot on sophomore goalie Haley Hughes-Gill (Shaker Heights, Ohio). The rookie netminder performed admirably between the pipes, stopping seven Chapman shots. Though the Poets never looked out of place with the Panthers, the goal-scoring opportunities seemingly became more and more dynamic as the action pressed on. Davidson made an extremely athletic play in the ninth minute of the fourth quarter to tie the game at eight, and junior attacker Georgia Bachiochi (Henderson, Nev.) made an equally athletic play to open the second half off a pass from Sepulveda, which helped set the tone for the game to come.

The victory moves the Poets to 1-0 in conference play, marking the first time the women's lacrosse team has won its SCIAC opener since the 2008 season.

Allison and the Poets will look to make it consecutive victories when they travel to California Lutheran University on Saturday, Feb. 26 for an 11 a.m. game. 

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