WHITTIER, CA. (OCT. 14, 2023)- The Whittier College women's soccer team took on the CalTech Beavers Saturday night a home. In a memorable night, the Poets celebrated their graduating seniors before the match then went out on the field and dominated. Whittier was able to shutout CalTech in a 2-0 victory. 

As the first half began, the Poets were able to get some shots off on goal but none of them were able to connect. The Beavers were playing a solid defense that did not open many lanes for the Poets. On the opposite side of the field, Whittier continued the strong defense they have been displaying all season. CalTech was only able to get one shot off in this entire first half. Whittier and CalTech both played a physical, hard-fought first, but as we headed to halftime the score was still 0-0.

The second half started and the Poets were ready to turn this game around. They immediately went on the pursuit on the offensive side of the field and it quickly turned into success. 7 minutes into the second half Katie Alexander lined up for a corner kick and placed it perfectly for her teammate. Maddeline Traylor got the ball and fired it past the Beavers goalie for her 8th goal of the season. Then about 15 minutes later, Maddie found her sister cutting to the goal and with some shifty moves, Layla Traylor got open and netted her 5th of the year. This is where the scoring would end for the night and the Poets would walk away with a 2-0 victory. 

This was a very special night for the Poets, as they celebrated their graduating seniors, Juli Veneri, Crystal Mendoza, and Avery Gonzalez, before the match and then posted a shutout in front of their friends and families. The Poets defense was sensational tonight, allowing the Beavers to only get one shot off. This 2-0 victory took the women to 3-3-3 in conference and they are now still in the hunt for the SCIAC postseason. 

After the game captain Avery Gonzalez stated, "We played great tonight, even though I wasn't able to be on the field with my girls it was a special night. Our job is not finished yet, we have to continue to push for that playoff spot and I am excited to see this team in action down the stretch. We have to just continue to play our game, becasue we can compete with anyone out their on the field." 

Juli Veneri

Juli has been a valuable contributor to the Poets' back line off the bench over the last two years, playing in a total of 19 games coming into tonight. Juli's favorite Whittier soccer memory was all the hard work she and her teammates put in to have a successful season. She especially enjoyed every team bonding event where she and her teammates shared fun moments such as a recent hiking adventure where they ran into five tarantulas that had everyone screaming and running away. Juli is an Environmental Science and Studies major. After graduation, she plans to be a conservation scientist for her home state of Hawaii.



Crystal Mendoza

Crystal has been a key contributor since joining the team back in 2022, making eight starts in 17 career appearances. She has logged nearly 1,000 minutes of playing time for the Purple & Gold, playing 642 minutes to date this season alone. She picked up her first career point as a Poet earlier this season, when she assisted on one of freshman Maddy Traylor's four goals at the University of Redlands a couple weeks ago. Her favorite memories playing for Whittier include not only her assist against the Bulldogs, but her "balling out" against CMS and Cal Lutheran, two games in which she played 176 of a possible 180 minutes. Crystal is a Kinesiology major, and after graduating plans to take a well-deserved vacation and spend quality time with her family.



Avery Gonzalez

Avery has been a fixture for the Poets over the last couple seasons, both on and off the turf. She has started every single game in 20 appearances dating back to 2022, a season in which she was First-Team All-SCIAC with her six goals that ranked second on the team, while her four assists had her in a tie for first. Her 34 shots on goal, however, did lead the team, and two of her goals were of the game-winning variety. She unfortunately had her senior season cut short, but Avery's vocal presence as a captain of this year's team has helped the Poets to another memorable season, no matter whether on the field or on the sidelines. Her favorite Whittier memory is scoring on a bicycle kick in practice during the 2022 season. Avery is majoring in Kinesiology, and following the season is looking to continue her education and pursue her passions in strength & conditioning, as well as athletic training.