WHITTIER, Calif. (April 26, 2023) - Ten Whittier seniors were honored Wednesday prior to the Senior Night game. A couple of hours later, one of them, Chella Davidson ended the game in dramatic fashion with an overtime goal, defeating Occidental, 14-13, in a contest the Poets needed to keep their SCIAC Tournament hopes alive.

"Winning on Senior Night, beating Oxy for the first time since 2012 AND the fact it was such a pivotal game in our season gave last night's game electric energy," Davidson said. "Our squad camraderie and the support from our Athletics community really carried us."

Whittier now holds the fourth and final seed in the SCIAC Tournament but must win Saturday at Chapman to qualify for the postseason tournament, as Occidental holds the head-to-head tiebreaker between the teams, having allowed two fewer goals in the two matchups this season.

The game-winner was Davidson's only goal of the night and came with 53 seconds remaining in the first three-minute sudden death overtime period. Davidson, with a defender at her back, shot over her right shoulder into the top left corner of the goal as the crowd erupted with cheers.

"I was looking to be a threat but not expecting to get the shot," Davidson said. "When I turned back, I saw an open net and followed someone's directions to 'SHOOT IT.' A humbling goal that reminded me that patience and hard work pays off. The goal was a fun finish to the end of a hard-fought game. From Loren's seven points, to Olivia's speedy transitions, to Haley (Hughes-Gill)'s brick wall mode, everyone left it all on the field. I'm super proud to be a part of that awesome moment."

Senior Samantha Nimmo scored four goals in her final collegiate home game, and seniors Loren Jade Sepulveda, Kiedra Hall, Payton Climer and Molly Landon each scored twice. Sepulveda also contributed five assists, seven ground balls, five draw controls and six caused turnovers.

After the first quarter, the teams were deadlocked at four goals apiece. The second quarter belonged to the home team, however, as Whittier jumped out to a 9-5 halftime advantage.

The Poets scored the first two goals of the third and led 11-6, but the Tigers responded with four consecutive goals and trailed 11-10. With one second left in the quarter, Poet Landon found net, giving her team a 12-10 lead with one quarter to play.

In the fourth, Whittier scored the first two goals. Then, Oxy tied the game with goals at the 5:37 and 1:46 marks, sending the game to overtime, where Davidson settled the matter once and for all.

Whittier visits Chapman at 11 a.m. Saturday, and if it wins, Poet women's lacrosse will receive a SCIAC Tournament berth for the first time in program history. Go Poets!

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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