WHITTIER, Calif. (March 22, 2023) - Whittier College women's lacrosse returned to action Wednesday night on the road against the Occidental College Tigers, ultimately dropping the contest, 18–11.

The Poets jumped out to an early 4–2 lead through one-quarter of play. Last week's SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week, senior midfielder Loren Jade Sepulveda, tallied two goals in the quarter. Senior attacker Samantha Nimmo and senior midfielder Payton Climer also joined in on the goal-scoring in the quarter, each scoring once to help build an early lead.

The Tigers would score six goals to the Poets' three in the second quarter, going into the half up, 8–7. Two more Poets would earn a goal in this quarter: senior midfielder Chella Davidson and senior attacker/midfielder Molly Landon. Nimmo also netted her second goal of the contest.

Whittier scored just once in the third quarter, with it coming from Davidson on a free position shot with 41 seconds remaining in the frame.

Throughout the second half, the Poets were outscored 10–4 by the Tigers, leading to the final score of 18–11. Three of those four goals came in the fourth quarter. Sepulveda scored two of them, while Climer scored the other goal.

Sepulveda led the Poets in goals scored in the contest, adding four to her season's total. She would also lead the team in assists, earning three. Climer led the team in shots on goals, recording seven.

Whittier led in ground balls, picking up 19, compared to Occidental's 15 and also edged its SCIAC rivals in drawn controls.

The Poets now get eight days off before hitting the road again; this time, they will travel across the country to take on Drew University in the first match of a two-game road trip.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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