WHITTIER, Calif. (April 12, 2023)- The women hosted the CalTech Beavers today with the hopes of making it 2 in a row in SCIAC play. The Poets played fiercely throughout this game and carried an early lead to an 8-5 victory. 

The first period was a low scoring one with Whittier scoring the lone goal. With under a minute left in the period a cross pool pass from Ally Burke set Grace Arnsparger up for the first goal. 

Whittier got off to a much quicker start in the second, with Amelia Bennett scoring her first goal. Bennett swam behind the defense and Haley Kivett found her for the beautiful goal, less than 1 minute into the period. About a minute later Chloe Gardhouse gave the ball to Jaycee Morris in the middle; using her strength Morris powered herself over the Beavers defense for the goal. Up 3-0 the Poets gave up one goal to CalTech, but still held a 2 goal lead heading to the half. 

As the second half started Emily Flores was all over the pool. She stole the ball away from the Beavers at the end of the sprint then was able to find the back of the net for her first goal of the game, within the first 45 seconds of the period. The Beavers answered back with a goal of their own and the Poets now led 4-2. Then Whittier's top 2 goal scorers went to work. Morris scored her second goal of the day, then Burke added 2 more to the team's total. Going into the final period the Beavers were leading 7-2. 

The Poets held onto their lead in the final period, but the Beavers made it closer. About half way through the period, Morris scored her third goal of the day, which would also be the last for the Poets. CalTech then went on a 3-0 run to end the game, but it was not enough as Whittier held on to win 8-5. 

7 different Poets were able to add points to their season totals tonight. Morris led the way with 3 goals and a steal, while Burke had 2 goals and an assist. Bennett and Flores each had a goal and combined for 3 steals. Grace Asparger added a goal for herself, with Kivett adding 2 assists. Gardhouse was a menace on defense tonight snatching 4 steals and adding an assist on the offensive side. Alexys Puche was great in the goal tonight having 8 saves and a save. 

Whittier will be back home on Saturday to take on Cal Lu. They will host the Regals at 11:00, with the teams honoring the graduating seniors before the start of the game. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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