WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 2, 2024) – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team took the field at Memorial Stadium for a third time this season when they hosted Calvin University in what sure to be one of the wettest games the team will play all year.
Rainy conditions took center stage on Saturday, with the Poets and Knights looking to gain the upper hand amid a heavy downpour. The Knights established themselves early, but the Poets built more momentum in the second half of Saturday's game than they had in either previous game this season. At one point, Whittier even led Calvin in the second half, though the Knights would end up outscoring the Poets by the slimmest of margins, 4-3, in the final 30 minutes alone.
Junior
Juliana Hodgson (Fullerton, Calif. / Sunny Hills) once again showed why her speed can be a valuable tool for the women's lacrosse team this season, scoring two goals unassisted where she weaved throughout the Calvin defense, unphased by the less-than-ideal playing conditions. Her first goal of the game, however, saw her take advantage of a beautiful outlet pass from sophomore
Julie O'Brien (Reading, Mass. / Reading Memorial) that opened scoring for the Poets.
Sophomore
Camille Verlich (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Rancho Cucamonga) had the Poets' fourth and final goal of the game with just over seven and a half minutes to play in regulation. She also held her own on the draw with three draw controls to go with five ground balls. Goalies
Haley Hughes-Gil (Shaker Heights, Ohio / Shaker Heights) and
Peyton Vannatter split time in net for Whittier, and combined for nine saves.
Head Coach
Leslie Escobar and the Poets could continue to make strikes against Chapman University, a team that could have the early inside track into the SCIAC Postseason Tournament.
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