WHITTIER, Calif. (March 26, 2023)- The Poets took on two division 1 teams today in a round robin tournament. Their first game was against the CSUN Matadors; they would lose this game 13-6. They would then return later in the day to take on the Brown Universtiy Bears, Whittier would drop this game as well 15-6.

Game 1:

As the first whistle blew to start the game, the Matadors showed their dominance in the pool. They were able to go on a 4-0 run and held this lead as the teams headed to the second period. 

The second was much of the same for CSUN, as they were able to extend their lead over the Poets. The Matadors continued their scoring run, scoring 4 more goals against the Whittier to bring their total to 8. Ally Burke and Haley Kivett were able to close the gap a little bit, each scoring a goal. The score was 8-2 going to the half. 

Whittier showed some improvement on defense, as the second half began only allowing 2 goals to CSUN. Margarita Moreno and Amelia Bennett inched the Poets a little closer in this game, scoring their first goals of the game. The score was now 10-4 as the teams looked to begin the final period.

CSUN put the final touches on their victory in the final period. They were able to score 3 more goals to bring their total to 13. Burke did score her second and third goals of the day, but the final score would be 13-6. 

Game 2:

The second game the Poets were matched up against the power-house Brown University Bears. The girls played hard, but the Bears came out on top 15-6. 

With their starting goalie out due to injury, Whittier once again turned to Charlotte Umstead to man the net. However, after taking a hard shot in the face (blocking the shot), Umstead had to be removed from the game and this brought in Margarita Moreno. Moreno is normally an attacker, but her team needed a goalie and she stepped up. The Poets fought hard in this first period, with Jaycee Morris scoring 2 goals. The Bears led the Poet 5-2 at the end of the first. 

The Poets played much better defense in the second, with Moreno only giving up one goal. The team also came away with some key steals that allowed Emily Flores and Haley Kivett to score their first goals of the game. The score was 6-4 Brown at the half.

Brown came out ready to fight in the third, they went on a 5-0 scoring against Whittier and as the teams entered the final period the score was 11-4. 

In the final period of the day for the Poets; Burke scored her first and second goals of the game, but nothing more was produced on the offensive side of the ball for Whittier. The Bears would win this game 15-6.

Whittier will have a chance to get back in the win column on Wednesday. They will host the Redlands Bulldogs in a SCIAC matchup at 7:00. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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