LOS ANGELES, CA. (OCT. 21, 2023)- The men traveled to Los Angeles today to take on the Occidental Tigers. The Poets would make it a game in the second half, but the Tigers would hold on to win the match 2-1. 

The first half was a slower paced one for the Poets, as they were not able to generate many scoring attempts. However their defense was also coming out very strong. Breckon Robirds had 4 saves in this first half alone to keep the game close. The Tigers did get one in the back of the net in the 22nd minute, and the score at the half was 1-0. 

Whittier came out in the second half hot and ready to battle. Less than 3 minutes into this second half Lawrence Dydell (Redmond, WA, , Woodinville HS) was able to put the Poets on the scoreboard thanks to a beautiful corner kick by Rowan Slater. Slater placed this ball perfectly for Dydell, who was able to score his 11th goal of the season. The Tigers would then recapture the lead with a goal in the 57th minute. The Tigers would take this lead and run with it the remainder of the game to a 2-1 victory over the Poets. 

Robirds was great in the goal today for the Poets, as he walked away with 8 total saves. Dydell's lone goal was not enough to lift the Poets past the Tigers in this game, but it did move him into a tie for most goals in the conference. Whittier's next game will be at home next Wednesday as they take on the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen. The Poets final SCIAC match of the season will have a kickoff at 7:00. 

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