WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2025) – The Whittier College women's soccer team kept its momentum rolling on Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, earning a 2-1 victory over the University of La Verne. The win extended the Poets' unbeaten streak to a full month and preserved their perfect home record.

Whittier struck first in the 29th minute off a well-executed set piece. Senior defender Emma Tumbarello (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Rancho Cucamonga) found the back of the net for her first goal of the season and the second of her career after senior Alanis Cervantes (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra) redirected a corner kick from sophomore Danny Bard (Corona, Calif. / Santiago / University of Providence) into her path. The quick sequence gave Whittier an early lead and immediate energy in front of the home crowd.

La Verne equalized less than a minute later, but Whittier regained control before halftime. In the 34th minute, freshman forward Isabela Menes (Long Beach, Calif. / Millikan / Loyola Marymount University) calmly buried a penalty kick for what proved to be the game-winner. It was not only the Poets' first PK attempt of the season, but also the first of Menes' collegiate career; and she made it count, slotting the shot past the keeper for her first career game-winner.

The Poets' defensive unit held firm the rest of the way. Junior Aleena Galvan (Antelope Valley, Calif. / Quartz Hill) and senior Jessie Bonsness (Santa Clarita, Calif. / Valencia / College of the Canyons) anchored the back line, while goalkeeper Mya Rodriguez (Visalia, Calif. / El Diamante / College of the Sequoias) made four saves to secure Whittier's sixth win of the season.

With the result, the Poets improve to 6-2-5 overall and 3-2-4 in SCIAC play. Head Coach Derek Hanks and Whittier will now hit the road for a Saturday morning matchup at Chapman University, with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. in Orange, Calif.
 

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