GEORGETOWN, Texas (March 25-26, 2023) - The Whittier College men's lacrosse team continued its 2023 season with a trip to the Lone Star State,  dropping both games over the course of the weekend.

March 25, 2023 vs. Elmhurst

The Poets would jump out to a 2–0 lead against the Blue Jays. Sophomore midfielder Luke McElligot started the scoring for Whittier. Off an assist from senior attacker Alex Coco, senior attacker Mason Leet added another goal to his season tally.

After a low-scoring first quarter, the Blue Jays turned on the offense to push their lead up to 5–3 by halftime. Coco ended up scoring the Poets' only goal in the quarter, setting up an exciting second half.

The Poets outscored the Blue Jays in the third quarter. Coco got the scoring started, closing the gap to 5–4 with 6:33 remaining in the quarter. Following Coco, senior attacker Connor Hoemann tied the game up at five with 3:40 remaining in the contest.

After retaking the lead with 1:56 remaining, sophomore midfielder Kalwin Iha scored an unassisted goal with 1:03 remaining. However, the score would not last, as sophomore midfielder Brandon Course of the Blue Jays responded quickly to give them the lead heading into the fourth quarter.

While both Iha and McElligott each scored for the Poets in the final frame, it was not enough as the Blue Jays would score three times, lifting them to the win and handing the Poets a tough 10–8 loss.

Three Whittier players tied for the most goals in the contest with two: Iha, Coco and McElligott. Coco and first-year Owen Wallace each tallied one assist in the contest. Sophomore goalie Jayden Warlum put up a solid day in goal, earning a save percentage of 52%.

March 26, 2023 vs. Southwestern

The Poets found themselves in an early hole against Southwestern, with the Pirates going up 6–1 through the first quarter. Three of the Pirates' first six goals came with them being a man up on the Poets.

 Unfortunately for the Poets, the defensive struggles would continue against the Pirates in the second quarter.  They were outscored 7–2 by the Pirates, who pushed the lead up to 13–3 heading into intermission. Like the quarter prior, three of the Pirates' goals came a man up.

After scoring the only goal in the first quarter, Iha earned his second goal of the contest in the second quarter. McElligott would score the Poets' second goal on the game, but still, the Poets needed a massive comeback for a chance to keep pace with the Pirates.

The Poets came alive in the third quarter, and would go on to score five goals in the quarter. Wallace, first-year midfielder Tyler Hilmar and McElligott all contributed to the five goals in the frame. However, while the offense came alive for the Poets, the Pirates would match them and score five goals of their own in the third quarter.

While the Poets did outscore the Pirates 5–3 in the final quarter, it was too, little too late for the Poets, as they would drop a 21–13 final to end their Texas road trip.

Wallace led the day for the Poets with five goals, while McElligott scored four and Iha netted three. Wallace led the team in assists, earning two on the day.

The Poets will return home for their first home game since Feb. 4, as they welcome Colorado College to Memorial Stadium for a Wednesday night affair (6 p.m.).

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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