WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 27. 2023) – The Whittier College men's soccer team partook in one of the most exciting games at Memorial Stadium in 2023 when they hosted Caltech in a back-and-forth, high-tempo SCIAC affair.
The Poets tied the Beavers, 4-4, thanks to some late game heroics from junior
Lawrence Dydell and freshman
Nils Degardin. Dydell again paced the Poets in scoring with two goals and one assist, and his exceptional season totals now have him positioned as the conference's leading scorer with nine goals in all competitions (seven in SCIAC games).
The visiting Beavers looked as strong as ever, converting on a series of tough goals to keep pace with Dydell on the Poets. However, when the chips were down, Whittier's star junior delivered in a huge way, knocking in a header off a corner kick from Degardin with plenty of incidental contact in the box. Whittier kept the pressure on over the game's final 10 minutes, but were unable to convert on the go-ahead goal. However, there were plenty of huge moments that preceded the final 10 minutes the Poets will be able to hang their hat on from an offensive standpoint.
Central midfielder
Jazey Zavala got the Purple & Gold off to a speedy start, ripping a shot from roughly 10-meters outside the box to beat the Caltech keeper. The goal came at the one-minute mark, and it seemed the Poets would be able to keep the offensive pressure on their opponents. However, Caltech responded with a pair of well-timed goals of their own before Dydell found the equalizer 22 minutes into the first half. Just like the goal that ultimately netted Whittier the SCIAC point, Dydell's goal came off a pass from freshman Degardin. The junior would finish with two goals and two assists, alternating with Degardin as a presence in the middle and on the right wing.
Dydell's other assist came in the second half on an impressive feed to central midfielder
Rowan Slater who cruised around the Caltech defense to deliver on a high percentage shot from the right side. Freshman goalkeeper
Breckon Robirds remained poised in the face of the Caltech attack, making eight saves in another robust showing between the pipes.
Head Coach
Shea Harwell and the Poets will hope to make it consecutive games with SCIAC points when they host the University of Redlands on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m.
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