ORANGE, Calif. – The Poets were bested by the Chapman Panthers,1-0, on Saturday morning. A goal in the 22nd minute by the Panthers was all the scoring the match had to offer. Goalkeeper
Sofia Lopez continued to be a steady presence in net, recording 11 saves on 12 shots on goal.
Poets' attacker
Danielle Bard threatened early on with a shot headed for the bottom of the net. Chapman's goalie was able to get down and keep the match scoreless.
Whittier was controlling the opening minutes of the match as the first shot from the Panthers came in the ninth minute.
Three consecutive shots from Chapman followed the Poets' strong start. Lopez saved the two that were on target to keep the match level.
The next attempt from the Panthers rippled the back of the net, putting the Panthers up 1-0.
The Poets managed one more shot before half-time to go along with Chapman's seven.
The Poets came out aggressively to begin the second half, recording two shots in the opening three minutes. Bard and Nena Resendiz-Saldivar each registered an attempt as Whittier searched for the equalizer.
Chapman responded with several scoring opportunities, but Lopez made two more saves to keep the Poets within striking distance. The Whittier goalkeeper also came up with a crucial stop in the 73rd minute to prevent the Panthers from doubling their lead.
With less than seven minutes remaining,
Annabelle Allison attempted to salvage a draw for Whittier, but her shot drifted wide right.
Allison also played the full 90, followed by
Vivian Martinez and
Aleena Galvan, who logged 86 and 83 minutes, respectively. Bard led the Poets' attack with four shots, including one on goal.
Whittier women's soccer will play next on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. as the La Verne Leopards will pay a visit to Memorial Stadium.
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