WHITTIER, Calif.– The Whittier College men's soccer team waited until late Tuesday night to make its first big statement of the new season.
Jack Born scored the equalizer in the 84th minute,
Nils Degardin picked up the assist, and the Poets opened their 2026 campaign with a 1-1 draw against the University of Redlands at Memorial Stadium.
The result gave Whittier a point in its season opener and started a five-game homestand to begin the year.
The first half stayed scoreless as both sides worked through a physical opening 45 minutes.
Redlands finished the half with a 5-2 advantage in shots, but Whittier stayed organized defensively and kept the Bulldogs off the board.
Diego Saldivar, making his NCAA debut in goal, made one save before halftime.
The Poets also created a couple of early chances of their own. Degardin put Whittier's first shot on goal, while the hosts earned two corner kicks during the opening half.
Redlands broke the scoreless tie in the 52nd minute, putting Whittier behind 1-0 early in the second half.
The Poets responded by increasing the pressure going forward.
Whittier took eight of its 10 total shots after halftime and earned two more corner kicks as the attack continued to build. Degardin remained active up front, while
Jeremiah Solares,
Fabian Gluch, Born,
Kevin Bravo, and
Nicholas Coop all helped create opportunities.
The breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute.
Degardin, Whittier's assist leader a season ago, helped create the chance and found Born, who finished the equalizer to bring the Poets level at 1-1.
The goal was Born's second career goal, while Degardin wasted little time recording his first assist of the 2026 season.
Whittier continued searching for a winner over the closing minutes, but neither side could find another goal before the final whistle.
The Poets finished with a 10-9 advantage in total shots after their strong second-half push and put four attempts on goal. Whittier also earned four corner kicks to Redlands' three.
Degardin led the Poets with two shots on goal and added the assist. Solares put one of his two attempts on frame, while Born scored on his lone shot on goal.
Gluch also recorded two shots, with Bravo, Coop, and
Jack Hindmarsh adding one apiece.
Saldivar played all 90 minutes in his first collegiate appearance and finished with two saves, allowing only the one second-half goal.
Whittier's back line also put in a full shift around him.
Ben Harrison and
Roberto Orozco played all 90 minutes, Born went the full match from his spot in the lineup and Hindmarsh logged 80 minutes.
The draw gave the Poets a competitive start to the 2026 season and a late moment to build on as their opening homestand continues.
Whittier returns to Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 4, against UC Santa Cruz. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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