WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's soccer team returned to Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night to face the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens. Despite an improved offensive showing in the second half, the Poets fell 4-0. Whittier finished with 14 shots, including seven on goal, while goalkeeper
Sofia Lopez recorded nine saves.
The Poets created their first scoring opportunity in the 10th minute when
Nena Resendiz Saldiva sent a shot over the crossbar. However, Pomona-Pitzer struck first in the 12th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Just under three minutes later, the Sagehens found the back of the net again to extend their advantage to 2-0.
Whittier looked to respond with another attempt from Resendiz Saldiva in the 15th minute, but her shot sailed high. Lopez then came up with a save in the 19th minute to prevent Pomona-Pitzer from adding to its lead.
In the 30th minute,
Victoria Martinez put a shot on target, but the Sagehens' goalkeeper made the stop.
Annabelle Allison followed with an attempt in the 33rd minute that went wide.
Pomona-Pitzer added a third goal in the 43rd minute following a corner kick. The Sagehens entered halftime with a 3-0 advantage.
The Poets came out with renewed energy in the second half, creating several opportunities to cut into the deficit.
Aleena Galvan sent a shot wide in the 57th minute before
Victoria Martinez tested the Pomona-Pitzer goalkeeper in the 60th, forcing another save.
Whittier continued to apply offensive pressure as Dannielle Bard registered an attempt in the 62nd minute. Allison followed with a shot on goal less than two minutes later, but the Sagehens were there to make the stop.
The Poets maintained their attacking momentum in the 68th minute when
Vivian Martinez placed a shot on target. Allison then recorded back-to-back attempts in the 72nd and 73rd minutes, both requiring saves from the Pomona-Pitzer goalkeeper.
Melissa Tenorio added another scoring opportunity in the 79th minute, directing a shot toward the bottom-left corner that was turned away.
Despite Whittier's second-half efforts, Pomona-Pitzer extended its lead in the 87th minute with another goal to make it 4-0.
The Poets finished the second half with nine shots, six on target, after recording five attempts in the opening period. Allison led Whittier with four shots, including three on goal, while
Victoria Martinez contributed two shots on target. Lopez played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with nine saves.
Whittier will celebrate senior night on Halloween as they host the Redlands Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. Catch all the action on
FloCollege.
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