WHITTIER, CA. (Nov 4, 2023)- The Poets wrapped up their home games this year by taking on the Caltech Beavers in a SCIAC showdown. Prior to the start of the game the Poets championed their lone senior, Ben Ramans (Los Altos, Calif., St. Francis HS), on his exceptional career for the Purple and Gold. 

Ben has been a part of the Poets water polo team since 2021 and was the lone remainder of that team that qualified for the SCIAC postseason. In this final season for him, Ramans has been a vocal leader for Whittier in and out of the pool. He finished the day with 33 goals and 18 drawn exclusions on the year. His career stats jump off the page with a .389 shooting percentage, 52 goals, 8 assists, 20 steals, and 25 drawn exclusions. His presence in the middle of the pool will be truly missed. 

As the game began, the Beavers were able to jump out with the 1-0 advantage but the Poets were not just going away. Cardin Chavez (University Place, Wash., Curtis HS, Westcliff University) and Brody Haney (Tustin, Calif., Beckman HS, Mt. Saint Mary's University) would both find themselves open later in the period and fired shots past the Caltech goalie. At the end of the first Whittier was up 2-1.

In the second, the Poets defense really showed up as they did not allow the Beavers to score a single point this period. Haney would find the back of the net early in this period, for his second goal of the day and put the Poets up 3-2. Then with about 3 minutes left in the half, the Poets found their senior big man in the center and he was able to fire it past the goalie for his first goal of the game. In a game in which he was being celebrated, Ramans was able to give the fans a goal to cheer about! Whittier was leading 4-1 at the half. 

The second half was not as strong for the Poets. In the fourth Haney was able to complete the hat-trick for his 3rd goal of the game, but that was the only scoring Whittier was able to come by. Both teams continued their strong defenses throughout this low-scoring affair. 

Caltech would come back to win this game 6-5 in Whittier's final home match of the year. The Poets will conclude their season next Saturday, as they will travel to take on the University of La Verne at 11:00.