WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2024) – The Whittier College men's soccer team leveraged an early goal from freshman defender
Jack Hindmarsh (Kristianstad, Sweden / Furulund School) to take an early lead against defending SCIAC champion Occidental College, but the Poets ultimately came up short against a talented, experienced Tigers group.
The goal came on a well-executed give-and-go on the left side after the Poets brought controlled pressure to the Oxy defense. Hindmarsh dished to his fellow winger on the left side, sophomore
Nils DeGardin (Paris, France / Lake Washington) and took the ball back to beat the opposing keeper with ease from his dominant side. The goal is the second of the year for the freshman after he blasted one home against Bethesda University earlier this month.
From there, the host Tigers found their footing and were able to come up with the three points, but the Poets did well to compete with the Tigers over the full 90 minutes without looking overwhelmed. Center back duo
Chris Flores (Sylmar, Calif. / Birmingham Community Charter / Los Angeles Mission College) and
Gustav Lind (Stockholm, Sweden / Bromma Gymnasium) played the full 90, as did sophomore goalkeeper
Breckon Robirds (Temecula, Calif. / Chaparral), who made three saves against one of the toughest teams the Poets will play for the rest of the year.
Head Coach
Shea Harwell and the Poets will next head return home to take on the University of La Verne on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
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