WHITTIER, Calif. (April 15, 2023)- In their final home game of the season, the Poets hosted the Cal Lutheran Regals. In a game where the team honored their seniors, Whittier played great but Cal Lu came out on top, with a last minute goal, 9-8. 

Before the start of the game Amelia Bennett, Ally Burke, and Grace Arnsparger were all recognized for being graduating seniors of Whittier. 

As the action began both teams were playing a very physical and defensive match. The goalies were playing very well and not letting anything past them. That is until Chloe Gardhouse got open and fired a shot past the Cal Lu goalie with 45 seconds left in the period. This goal came on the back of a full-pool assist from goalie Alexys Puche. The Regals were able to answer back with a last minute goal of their own to tie the game at 1 going to the second. 

Cal Lu started the scoring off in the second period; however, Emily Flores was ready to battle this game and after having a steal in the first and second, found the back of the net for her first goal of the game. The teams continued to make this a back and forth game with the Regals scoring again then Haley Kivett tying the game back up at 3. In the final 2 minutes of the half Cal Lutheran extended their lead to 4-3 over Whittier, but senior Arnsparger was not going away. She threw a beautiful behind the back shot past the Regals goalie to tie the game at 4 as the teams headed to halftime. 

With the score tied, the teams began to play even harder in the second half. No goals were scored in the first half of the period, but then Gardhouse drew a key exclusion that resulted in a 5-meter shot. Burke, who has been masterful for the Poets throughout her career, lined up and missiled the ball past the goalie. One minute later Arnsparger drew a 5-meter shot as well, allowing Burke to connect once again. The Regals scored one more goal in the period, but Whittier held a 6-5 lead going to the final period. 

In the final quarter of the year at the Lillian Slade Aquatic Center, the Poets continued to add onto their lead early. Jaycee Morris connected on her first goal of the game to put Whittier up by 2. Cal Lu scored once again to bring the score to 1 again, but Gardhouse found the netting once again to put Whittier back up 2. The Regals however were able to score 3 unanswered goals in the final 2 minutes of the game to defeat the Poets 9-8. 

Despite the loss, the girls played really well. Gardhouse was fierce in the pool today, coming away with 2 goals, 2 steals, and drew a 5-meter shot. Burke finished the game with 2 goals and 2 assists. Arnsparger, in her final home game, had a goal, assist, draw exclusion, and a steal. Kivett had a goal and an assist, while Flores had a goal and 2 steals. Morris managed a goal this game and Bennett finished with an assist. 

Whittier's final game of the year will be this Wednesday night as they travel to Pomona-Pitzer. This SCIAC game will begin at 7:00 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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