WHITTIER, Calif. – A first-half strike from
Adina Johnson and seven saves by
Sofia Lopez gave Whittier a 1-0 victory over Redlands in Saturday's SCIAC women's soccer season finale at Memorial Stadium. The Poets also honored 12 graduating seniors on Senior Night.
Whittier dictated much of the opening half, firing 13 shots while allowing just one.
Annabelle Allison generated six attempts before the break, including shots on target in the seventh and 16th minutes.
Victoria Martinez also tested the Bulldogs' goalkeeper in the 21st minute, but the match remained scoreless.
The Poets' persistence paid off at 40:26. Johnson, who had entered just over three minutes earlier, scored off an assist from
Logan Bays to put Whittier ahead.
Lopez made her first save less than a minute later to preserve the lead.
Nena Resendiz Saldivar forced another stop at the opposite end, while attempts from Johnson,
Danny Bard and Bays missed the target before halftime.
Redlands mounted more pressure after the restart, recording nine second-half shots. Lopez denied efforts in the 49th and 52nd minutes before making another save in the 58th.
Whittier nearly found a second goal when
Isabela Menes struck the right post at 61:31. The narrow advantage remained intact thanks to Lopez, who turned away two more shots at 64:15 and 65:06.
Aleena Galvan and Bays created chances to add some breathing room, putting shots on goal less than 30 seconds apart in the 76th minute. Both were saved, leaving the Poets to protect their one-goal edge.
Lopez collected her final save at 77:37, and Whittier kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard through the closing minutes to complete the shutout.
The Poets finished with a 23-10 advantage in shots and six corner kicks to Redlands' five. Allison led all players with six attempts, followed by
Victoria Martinez with four and Galvan with three. Johnson contributed two shots, including the afternoon's only goal.
Whittier concluded the season at 5-13-1 overall and 3-9 in SCIAC play.
The Senior Night celebration recognized
Annabelle Allison,
Audrey Burgmaier,
Veronica Perez,
Victoria Martinez,
Nena Resendiz Saldivar,
Vivian Martinez,
Sofia Lopez,
Samantha Soto,
Ashley Galvan,
Katie Correa,
Angelina Espinoza and
Mia Cordova.
Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics).
