WHITTIER, Calif. (September 13, 2023)- Whittier began their conference play Wednesday night as they took on the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens at home. Despite an early deficit, the Poets battled throughout the match. Their fight came up just a bit short as the Sagehens were able to hold on to a 3-2 victory. 

Pomona-Pitzer started this game off with a bang scoring a goal 11 seconds in. The Poets though were not just going to roll over and give up. The men were playing with a great energy and continued to take shots at the goal. Whittier would put up 12 shots in the first half alone; and in the 41st minute Jack Tarango found the open Rowan Slater who then lasered one past the Pomona goalie. The teams were tied 1-1 going into half time. 

As the second half began, the Sagehens came out hot again. They were able to score 2 more goals in 11 minutes to now hold a 3-1 lead over the Poets. Whittier was not backing down. The men maintained a energy that allowed them to continue to keep the game close. Whittier was relentless with their shots at the Pomona-Pitzer goal, but the ball would not bounce their way tonight. In the 82nd minute the Poets earned a corner kick and Nils Degardin stepped up to take it. Degardin placed this ball perfectly as it sailed through the air and bent it right past the goalie to score. This goal was a thing of beauty, but unfortunately it was where the comeback would end for the Poets. Pomona-Pitzer would end up securing a 3-2 victory. 

The men battled and bruised throughout this game in which there were 7 total yellow cards given out. The physical play was not something the Poets backed down from and they fought until the end. The men will look to get back on track in their second conference game of the year this Saturday (September 16th). Whittier will host the Occidental Tigers at 7:00 in Memorial Stadium following the women's 4:00 game.