Box Score WHITTIER, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2024) – The Whittier College women's lacrosse team took on California Lutheran University on Wednesday night, and turned in a much improved all-around performance. Wednesday marked the first time the Poets played a SCIAC team for the second time this year, and rode a wave of momentum for different portions of the game.
The first bright spot of the game came over the first eight minutes of the game, where the Poets battled in the defensive midfield and held the Regals off the board for the duration of that time. Freshman goalie
Peyton Vannatter positioned herself well to turn away the Regals' early attempts, and went on to finish the game with double-digit saves.
The Regals eventually found their offensive flow, but before they could reach mercy-rule territory, the Poets struck back on a powerplay goal from
Cassandra Carmona (Whittier, Calif. / La Serna) right in front of the opposing net. The goal seemingly woke up the Whittier offense, with junior
Elizabeth Roybal (West Covina, Calif. / South Hills) scoring a goal on the ensuing possession to give the Purple & Gold a new lease on life.
The first half ended in unorthodox fashion, with Whittier answering a Cal Lutheran shorthanded goal with a shorthanded goal of its own. The shorthanded tally came courtesy of junior leading scorer
Julianna Hodgson (Fullerton, Calif. / Sunny Hills), who has a skillset made for converting on shorthanded opportunities. She had success with cutting through the Regals' defense all game, but finally hit paydirt with the Poets down a player.
As the game progressed, the Poets began to further find their offensive rhythm. They went on to outscore the Regals, 4-2, over the final period, and finished the game within 10 goals of their opponent for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Poets' passing in the opposing zone never looked better, with well-timed placements repeatedly setting up Whittier goals down the stretch. Hodgson led with three goals, while sophomore
Camille Verlich (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Rancho Cucamonga) finished with two. Sophomore
Julie O'Brien (Reading, Mass. / Reading Memorial) joined Whittier's goal scorer on a powerplay strike from shortrange. Her goal came on a pass from Verlich. Meanwhile, senior
Juli Veneri rounded out the Whittier scorers, and junior
Mackenzie Crecelius (Long Beach, Calif. / Millikan) rounded out the evening's assist getters for the home team.
Head Coach
Leslie Escobar and the Poets will be back in action this time next week when they travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges for a 7 p.m. game.
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