WHITTIER, Calif. – The Poets hosted the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas to open their 2026 SCIAC campaign. Goalkeeper
Sofia Lopez tallied 12 saves, but the Poets ultimately fell, 2-0.
Whittier had its share of opportunities throughout the match but was unable to capitalize against the Athenas. Lopez and the Poets' defense kept the game within reach for much of the night, but CMS converted on two of its chances.
The Athenas applied pressure immediately, recording the first seven shots of the match. Lopez turned away three of those attempts to keep the game scoreless early.
CMS broke through on its eighth shot, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
In the final minute of the first half,
Isabela Menes created an opportunity for the Poets to equalize. Her attempt looked promising but sailed just wide to the right.
CMS outshot Whittier, 15-1, in the opening 45 minutes, but the Poets responded with a stronger defensive effort to begin the second half. Lopez made four more saves early in the period to keep Whittier within one.
As the second half progressed, the Poets began pushing forward in search of the equalizer. Whittier generated multiple opportunities to tie the match, but as the Poets committed more players to the attack, the Athenas capitalized and doubled their advantage in the final five minutes.
Whittier continued to battle until the final whistle. Menes produced another quality attempt, and the Poets earned a corner kick in the 89th minute, but they were unable to find the back of the net before time expired.
Lopez finished the match with a season-high 12 saves.
Annabelle Allison also played the full 90 minutes and contributed to the Poets' defensive effort.
Menes provided a spark off the bench, leading Whittier in shots despite playing just 44 minutes.
The Poets will look to bounce back when they travel to Azusa Pacific to take on the Cougars on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m.
Follow and show your support for the Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics).
