WHITTIER, Calif. (April 5, 2023)- The ladies took on the La Verne Leopards this evening at home in a SCIAC matchup. The Poets played hard, but the Leopard would win this game 9-5.

The first period opened up perfectly for Whittier, after causing a La Verne turnover to start it, Jaycee Morris put the Poets up early with a goal less than one minute into the game. The Leopards answered back with 2 goals in the back half of the first to take a 2-1 lead into the second period. 

As the teams jumped back into the pool to begin the second period, both teams were ready for a physical game. La Verne extended their lead, going up 3-1, before Whittier struck back. Morris was able to fire one past the goalie, to score her second of the game, then Ally Burke got into the scoring business notching her first goal of the game. With the game tied at 3, the Leopards went on one last run to go into half up 5-3. 

Whittier and the Leopards continued to battle in the pool with neither team wanting to give the edge to the other. La Verne was able to score one goal in the period to make it 6-3, as the two teams headed for the final period. 

In the final period both teams continued to prove their defenses. Grace Arnsparger was able to set herself up for a nice goal in the back half of the period and brought the Poets into 3 goals, tailing 7-4. The Leopards then took advantage of a penalty shot that extended their lead to 4 again. The final goal of the game for Whittier came when Haley Kivett whizzed one past the La Verne goalie. The final score of this game would end up being 9-5.

Amelia Bennett set her teammates up well this game, coming away with 2 assists. While Alexys Puche did well in the goal having 7 saves and 2 steals. Whittier will be back in action this Saturday as they travel to Chapman. They will take on the Panthers at 11:00 in the morning. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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