Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

REDLANDS, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2022) – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team remained competitive for 60 minutes with the University of Redlands on Saturday afternoon behind a huge second half that saw the Poets yield just three goals to the Bulldogs.

Efficiency both with and without the ball in their possession caused the Poets to open the first quarter with a 3-0 lead over the Bulldogs. All three of Whittier's shots on net in the period found a home, while the Poets were able to get in front of each of the Bulldogs' four attempts. The visitors had three different goal scorers during this stretch, including juniors Jai Battle (Simi Valley, Calif. / Simi Valley), Payton Climer (Dallas, Texas / Booker T. Washington) and Molly Landon (Escondido, Calif. / Mission Hills). Battle, along with junior Loren Sepulveda (Middleburg, Va. / Foxcroft) led the way with two goals apiece, and both players would be responsible for opening the second quarter with goals as well. First, Sepulveda scored with a numbers advantage off a pass from junior Sam Nimmo (Pleasanton, Calif. / Amador Valley) before Battle scored for the second and final time, giving the Poets a firm 5-0 lead over their SCIAC foes. Sophomore goalie Haley Hughes-Gill (Shaker Heights, Ohio / Shaker Heights) would stop half the shots she faced and finished the day with 11 saves between the pipes.

Head Coach Sara Allison and the Poets will look to start a new winning streak when they host Southwestern University (Texas) on Thursday, Mar. 17 at 7 p.m. 

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