Box Score REDLANDS, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2024) – Junior midfielder
Rowan Slater (Fort Collins, Colo. / Poudre) of the Whittier College men's soccer team provided the offense for the Poets against a tough squad from the University of Redlands on the road on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs are a perenial SCIAC Postseason Tournament contender and flashed their depth and experience against a deep Poets squad in the process of becoming more experienced in marquee SCIAC matchups. Nevertheless, the Poets gave a good account of themselves through the game's first 70 minutes, keeping Redlands scoring opportunities to a minimal while building to their own attacking opportunities.
Just 15 minutes into the second half, sophomore winger
Nils Degardin (Paris, France / Lake Washington) found Slater in the middle for his fourth goal of the season. The tally came just after both teams made some fresh subs on the attacking end, but in the end it was Slater, who got the nod in the attacking midfield, who successfully found the back of the net. From there, the Poets found themselves tasked between staying aggressive against one of the most complete teams in the SCIAC, or doubling down on defending a stalemate against a more experienced squad. The Poets are one of four SCIAC teams this season yet to finish a game level with their opponent, a trend that continued on Saturday.
The Poets were able to find some nice opportunities in the second half, illustrated by three corner kicks to the Bulldogs' one. However, two Redlands starters were able to force the issue in the second half. Nevertheless, the Poets, led in the back by freshman
Gustav Lind (Stockholm, Sweden / Bromma Gymnasium) who has played every minute of every game dating back to September 21, showed they could come up with an answer against a tough team on the road.
Head Coach
Shea Harwell and the Poets will be back at home on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to face off with California Lutheran University at 7 p.m.
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