ORANGE, Calif. (April 8, 2023)- The Poets hit the road today to take on the Chapman Panthers. This was a must win game for Whittier, and the girls did their thing scoring a last second goal to win 15-14.

The first period began, and both teams were ready to fight. The Panthers took a quick 1-0 lead, but less than 20 seconds later Amelia Bennett got the Poets on the board. About a 2 minutes later, the same sequence happened; with Chapman scoring and Bennett taking the ball down the pool and netting a goal 20 seconds later. The second part of the period was much of the same for the 2 teams, the Panthers were able to score 2 more goals, while the Poets piled on 3. Ally Burke found the back of the net twice and Chloe Gardhouse contributed a goal of her own. 

Similar to the first, the second period was filled with goals by both teams. Bennett and Burke each scored their third goals of the day. Emily Flores then got in on the scoring netting her first one of the day with a minute left in the half. At halftime the Poets led 8-7. 

The third period was all Chapman, with the team pouring in 7 goals. Burke was able to score another goal and Margarita Moreno scored her first, but Whittier was trailing 14-10 going to the final period. 

Whittier took over in the final period. On the defensive end, some key saves and steals led to the Poets scoring some nice goals. 3 different girls were able to score this period, with Gardhouse scoring 2, Burke scoring her fifth of the day, and Jaycee Morris scoring her first and second. With less than 30 seconds left and the scored tied Morris was able to swim down the pool and fire the game winning goal past the Chapman goalie. These 5 goals proved to be enough as the tough Poets defense shut down the Panthers to seal a 15-14 win. 

A lot of different women showed out today in the pool. Bennett scored 3 goals and snatched 2 steals, Morris had 2 goals, and Moreno and Flores each had one. Gardhouse was a menace on both ends of the pool with 3 goals and 3 steals. Burke dominated the offensive side walking away with 5 goals. Alexys Puche had a good day in the goal too with 15 saves and 3 steals. 

The girls will return home to take on Cal Tech at home on Wednesday. This SCIAC matchup against the Beavers will begin at 7 PM at the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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