WHITTIER, Calif. – The Poets returned home on Wednesday night to take on the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen at Memorial Stadium. Whittier outshot the Kingsmen 12-9, but the match ended in a 2-0 loss.
A tightly contested opening stretch saw Whittier create scoring opportunities right out of the gate, but the Poets were unable to get anything past the goalkeeper.
With Whittier defending well against the Kingsmen's attack, a crucial miscue allowed Cal Lutheran to score the opening goal in the 25th minute. The Kingsmen capitalized on a free kick just outside the Poets' 18-yard box.
After a back-and-forth first half, Whittier held a 6-4 advantage in shots and committed just three fouls compared to Cal Lutheran's seven.
As the Poets searched for the equalizer in the second half, the Kingsmen doubled their advantage with another goal in the 54th minute.
Whittier continued creating chances, keeping the Cal Lutheran defense on its heels, but could not find the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Diego Saldivar recorded five saves against the Kingsmen, proving to be a resilient last line of defense throughout the match.
Nicholas Coop also generated two shots on goal, while Jamie Eijpen, Nils Degardin, Patrick Nolan and Fabian Gluch each placed one on frame, challenging the Cal Lutheran goalkeeper.
Whittier will remain home to take on the University of Redlands on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Catch all the action on FloCollege.
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