Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography

WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2022)- Senior goalkeeper Teddy Nickerson's career-high 11 saves, including a spectacular diving stop late in the second half, were not enough Wednesday night, as Whittier dropped its conference opener 1-0 to La Verne.

"I'm just doing my job trying to keep the ball out of the net," Nickerson said of his performance.

The game's only goal was scored in the 85th minute by Leopards sophomore Joel Trejo.

Nickerson said that the Poets, who were outshot 22 to 13, need to be better in the final third of the field. He also identified maintaining possession and offensive finishing as team priorities.

"We had our chances, and we didn't put them away," said the Seattle native. "All of a sudden, with five minutes left, that's when we started getting our chances. It needs to be earlier."

The Whittier men next take the pitch Saturday 7 p.m. at Chapman.