WHITTIER, Calif. (September 16, 2023)- The Poets looked to get back on track against SCIAC opponent Occidental in a matchup on Saturday. The Poets and the Tigers battled back and forth against one another. In the end neither team would give the other the advantage and the game would finish in a 2-2 tie. 

The game started off quick for the Poets as they came out firing the ball towards the net. In the 11th minute they finally got their golden opportunity when a shot from Alanis Cervantes (La Habra, Calif., La Habra HS) hit off the post directly into the leg of Madeline Traylor (Covina, Calif., Charter Oak HS). Traylor reared back and lasered the ball past the diving goalie for her first collegiate goal. 

After the game Madeline stated, "I'm ecstatic to get my first college goal and hope that there are many more to come!" 

The Poets held the lead for another 8 minutes before the Tigers were able to score on a corner kick. With the score now tied 1-1, both teams were back in this game. They continued to go back and forth trading shot after shot, but none found the back of the net for the remainder of the first half.

Once again as the second half began the Poets came out quick. Just about 2 minutes into the second the Poets were fouled setting up a penalty kick. One of Whittier's top offensive threats, Layla Traylor (Covina, Calif., Oak HS), lined up to take the shot. She placed it perfectly past the goalie to give the Poets a 2-1 lead. However, this lead did not last for very long either as the Tigers were able to tie it back up about 10 minutes later. Whittier continued to pepper the OXY goalie with shots, but none were able to find the back of the net for the remainder of the game. 

This game would end in a 2-2 tie, but the Poets looked good during it. Whittier was able to get off 16 total shots and 9 were on shot on goal. Beth Juarez (Whittier, Calif., California HS) was also fantastic in the goal tonight for the Poets, as she was able to come away with 11 total saves on the night. They will look to get their first win in SCIAC next Wednesday (September 20th) as they host the University of La Verne at 7:00.