WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2023)- The Poets hosted two Division II teams today in a round-robin tournament. Although the women played well, they fell short to both Eagle teams. Concordia won, 6-4, and Biola prevailed, 16-11.
GAME 1:
As the rain poured on the teams, the Concordia Eagles jumped on the Poets early in this game, with a 2-0 advantage over the Poets.
The second period began, and Concordia was able to continue to put the pressure on Whittier taking a 4-0 lead. Ally Burke though was ready to go to battle this game and scored her first goal just before halftime.
The third saw Concordia score two more goals and have a 6-1 advantage.
Down 6-1, the girls knew that they would have to fight hard if they wanted to get back in this game. Burke once again took control in the pool scoring 2 more goals in the final period. The birthday girl Haley Kivett was also able to find the back of the net in the fourth. Unfortunately, even with great defense and shooting in the fourth the Poets would fall by a final score of 6-4.
GAME 2:
Whittier's next matchup would be against the Biola Eagles. This was the third and final game of the tournament and Biola was just coming off a victory over Concordia. Biola would be another tough matchup for the Poets.
Jaycee Morris was ready for this matchup and showed her dominance in the center of the pool for the jump. As Biola was able to get on the board early with two goals, Morris had an answer for them and matched the team's total goals at two. The game was tied 2-2 at the end of the first.
Whittier was able to keep it close for the remainder of the half as they scored 3 goals in the second. They were led by Burke, who was able to snipe another to the back of the goal, and Amelia Bennett scoring two big goals as the time ticked down on the clock. At the half the Eagles had a small 6-5 lead.
As the third began, the wheels started to fall off for the Poets. Chloe Gardhouse was able to deliver on a nice shot, but Biola was pulling away. The Eagles went on a 6-1 run this period to take a 12-6 lead to the final period.
Morris once again took over though in the fourth. The junior center established her strength and great shooting skills this period as she was able to score 4 goals on her own. Gardhouse was also able to add to her goal total this period scoring 1. Despite this fierce rally from the girls, they would fall by a score of 16-11.
The outcomes were not exactly what the Poets were looking for, but the girls showed great fight and there were great things that happened in these games. Goalie Alexys Puche, was very busy throughout the day and was able to make 15 saves against Biola. Emily Flores performed well on the defensive side of the pool leading the Poets in steals with 6 on the day. Ally Burke had an incredible day scoring 4 total goals and recording 5 assists. Morris showed everyone what she had today scoring 6 goals in the final game alone.
The Poets will be on the road for a while, as they will be taking part in the Convergence tournament next weekend. Their first game of the tournament will be on Friday March 3rd, as they take on Monterey Bay at 12:30. This game will be played at CMS' Axelrood Pool.
Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
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