CLAREMONT/ LA VERNE, CA. (Sep. 29, 2023)- After competing in the Whittier Mini tournament on Thursday, the Poets hit the road to take part in the Gary Troyer Tournament. Their first game was up against conference foe Pomona-Pitzer, where the Poets were not able to get anything going and eventually lost 24-5. Their second game of the day was a battle against UC Merced, and Whittier would unfortunately lose this one too by a final score of 19-11. 

GAME 1: 

The first game of the day up against Pomona-Pitzer did not go as planned. In the first period the Poets got off to a rough start trailing 7-0 when the horn sounded. 

About half way through the second period, Whittier got their first goal of the game. Ben Ramans (Los Altos, Calif., St. Francis HS) was battling down low and drew a foul allowing the Poets to get a 5-meter shot. Alberto Seva (Barcelona, Spain, Westcliff University) lined up to take the shot and fired it past the goalie to give Whittier its first points. 2 minutes later Ramans was once battled his way to a penalty shot and this time it was him who took aim and fired it past the goalie. Whittier's defense was better this second period, but at the half Pomona was winning 12-2. 

The second began and the Sagehens came out firing again. The Poets were not able to keep up with their opponent during this second half and would only manage to score 3 more goal. Pomona, who is away a tough matchup, continued to pile it on as their offense was firing on all cylinders. The final score would be 24-5. Seva would lead the way with 3 goals, while Ramans and Brody Haney (Tustin, Calif., Mt. Saint Mary's University) each added one of their own. Whittier would have one more game against UC Merced later in the day. 

GAME 2: 

As the second game started the Poets were looking to get things going a little faster this game, and Ramans was able to put them on the board early. Less than 2 minutes into the game he loaded up and shot one into the back of the net to put Whittier up 1-0. Merced would then tie it, but on their next possession Julien Breck (Norwalk, Calif., La Serna HS) scored his first goal of the day to put Whittier up 2-1. Both teams continued to push this first period with each of them scoring more goals. Seva was able to score 1 more for the Poets but the Bobcats scored 4 more and lead 5-3 after the first. 

In the second period the Poets kept this game close by continuing to score. Seva, Haney, Ramans each would find the back of the goal once again this period. Merced however was not going away either and scored 4 goals of their own. At the half the score was 9-7 Merced. 

During the second half the men began to show some fatigue and their scoring went down from this. In the third Breck and Cardin Chavez (University Place, Wash., Westcliff University) were able to get shots past the Bobcats goalie, but their opponents also continued to score. Going into the final period the score was 14-9. 

The final period was much of the same for the Poets, with their men just running out of gas they could not keep up with the Bobcats. Nick Coltrin (Livermore, Calif., Granada HS) scored his first goal of the game this period and Chavez added to his total for the game, but noting else would come into formation for them. The final score of this game would be 19-11.

Whittier will not have too much time to think about these losses, as they will be back in the pool Saturday to play two more game. Their first game will be against Mckendree University at 10:30 in the morning, and their second game will be Fresno Pacific University at 2:00. Both these game will be part of the Gary Troyer Tournament and take place at Occidental College.