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Whittier College

Tony@actionwestphotography.com
2
Winner Whittier W C (4-0-1, 3-0-1)
1
La Verne ULV (3-4-2, 0-3-0)
Winner
Whittier W C
(4-0-1, 3-0-1)
2
Final
1
La Verne ULV
(3-4-2, 0-3-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Whittier W C 1 1 2
La Verne ULV 0 1 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Gonzalez Nets Winner At La Verne, First Since Return

The senior's go-ahead goal made Whittier 2-0 against La Verne in women's soccer this season

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2024) – Senior Avery Gonzalez of the Whittier College women's soccer team scored a well-earned and well-deserved winner, her first in over a year, to help the Poets beat the University of a La Verne for a second time this season.

The Poets defeated the Leopards 2-1 almost two weeks after defeating them at home in non-conference play. 

The senior's goal came in the first half and gave her side the confidence to know they could hold off a tough team on the road.

"It feels amazing to be back on the field with the girls again," Gonzalez said. "The support these past couple of weeks have been amazing and I am so grateful to be able to play again. This has been one of the hardest journeys of my life and I couldn't have done it without the Whittier College women's soccer supporters and my team."

The goal came on a beautiful sequence off the elusive double assist from junior midfielder Alanis Cervantes and freshman outside back Aleena Galvan. The passing allowed Gonzalez to find the shooting lane she needed up top to bang in a goal for the Poets 30 minutes into the game. However, the Purple & Gold would receive some timely insurance from Juliana Hodgson in the second half. Hodgson scored the winner against Occidental College at home over the weekend and is no stranger to effort goals. Once again, the senior found a timely touch squarely in from of the La Verne net, delivering a big strike in traffic to pad the Poets' lead.

While La Verne did manage to strike back soon after, the Poets successfully leaned on what has been to date one of the very best defenses in the SCIAC. Through three conference games which have yielded seven points, the Poets have conceded just two goals, and a big part of that has been junior goalkeeper Mya Rodriguez. The junior transfer and reigning SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week for women's soccer made five more saves on Wednesday night while playing the full 90.

Head Coach Derek Hanks and the Poets will hang on the road this weekend, first with a game at Soka University on Friday, Sept. 27 before traveling to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on the 28th.
 

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!

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