LOS ANGELES, Calif. (OCT. 21, 2023) – Just like the men, the Whittier College women were also on the road playing the Occidental Tigers. The Poets fought hard throughout the game and tried to make a late home comeback, but their fight came up just and Whittier would drop this one 2-1. 

The Poets came out ready to fight this game and were not going to just back down to the Tigers. They continuously put pressure on the OXY defense, but none of their chances were able to get to the back of the net. Whittier was also showing out on defense in this first half only allowing Occidental to get one 1 goal. As both teams headed to the half, the Tigers had a 1-0 lead. 

Starting the second half, Occidental was looking to put this game away early. The Tigers netted their second goal of the day in the first 5 minutes and extended their lead 2-0. Both teams continued to put pressure on one another throughout the remainder of the game, and the Poets were not going away. Then in the 74th minute, Whittier scored their first goal of the game. Malia Miller (Juneau, AK, Junea Douglas HS | Pennisula College) got the ball and shot it down the field to the cutting Crystal Mendoza (Whittier, Calif., Rio Hondo College); Mendoza then hammered it past the Tigers goalie to make the score 2-1. This is how the game would end though, as neither team was able to take advantage of the other for the remaining 15 minutes. 

The Poets have 2 games remaining this season and the first will be played tomorrow at home. Whittier will be hosting the University of California, Santa Cruz on Sunday at 3:00. Make sure to come out and support your Poets in their final home game of the year.