WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2023) – In an exhilarating season opener at Memorial Stadium, the Whittier College women's soccer team picked up a 2-1 victory over Bethesda University on Friday behind a senior Avery Gonzalez' (Claremont, Calif. / St. Francis College) game-winning goal. The Poets' performance was marked by strong teamwork, creativity, and individual brilliance, and the win could be a sign of things to come for Head Coach Derek Hanks' group.
Whittier wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with junior winger Layla Traylor (Covina, Calif. / Charter Oak) setting up Elizabeth Roybal (West Covina, Calif. / South Hills) for an early goal in the sixth minute of the game. Roybal capitalized on the opportunity, firing the ball home from point-blank range to put the Poets ahead. About 20 minutes later, the Poets nearly took a 2-0 lead behind a bicycle kick from Gonzalez that occurred right in front of the Bethesda net. However, the goal would be reversed after a lengthy conversation between members of the officiating crew. Still, Whittier's star senior was not to be denied her moment. In the 66th minute, she latched onto another clean air delivery from Traylor and put the ball past the Bethesda keeper to seal a 2-1 win for Whittier.
With Gonzalez' goal in the bag, the Poets held firm over the final 20 minutes. The defensive line held firm in front of junior goalkeeper Beth Juarez (Whittier, Calif. / California), who was a standout performer in her own right. Juarez made a total of four stops, fearlessly putting her body on the line to keep Bethesda at bay and preserve the lead for the home team.
Adding to the team's positive offensive outlook, junior transfer Katie Alexander (Lakewood, Calif. / Vanguard University) generated multiple opportunities to extend the lead further. She ended the game with an impressive three shots on goal, keeping the pressure on Bethesda's defense right up until the final whistle. Had it not been for heroics from the visiting team's keeper, the Poets could have potentially padded their lead late. Additionally, freshman midfielder Madeline Traylor (Covina, Calif. / Charter Oak) nearly connected with her sister, Layla, on a first-half goal.
Coach Hanks and the Poets will be back at home on Friday, Sept. 8, when they host The Master's University and look to notch back-to-back wins to open the campaign.
