WHITTIER, Calif. – A strong second-half push kept the Whittier College men's soccer team unbeaten Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Nils Degardin scored his first goal of the season in the 75th minute,
Guillermo Ramirez recorded his second assist in two matches, and the Poets battled Russell Sage College to a 1-1 tie.
Russell Sage struck first in the 14th minute, giving Whittier an early deficit to work through.
The Gators generated nine shots during the opening half, but
Diego Saldivar and the Poets defense limited the damage to one goal.
Saldivar made three saves before halftime to keep Whittier within striking distance, while the Poets began creating chances of their own at the other end.
Whittier took four shots during the opening 45 minutes, including an attempt on goal from Degardin, before heading into the break trailing 1-0.
The second half told a much different story.
Whittier took control of the attacking pressure, out shooting Russell Sage 10-1 over the final 45 minutes and keeping the Gators from putting a single second-half shot on goal.
Fabian Gluch helped lead the push off the bench, finishing with a team-high five shots and putting two on frame.
Jack Born, Degardin, and
Matias Delso each added two shots as the Poets continued searching for the equalizer.
That breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute.
Ramirez helped create the chance and found Degardin, who finished to level the match at 1-1.
The goal was Degardin's first of the season after he assisted on two goals through Whittier's first three matches. Ramirez picked up his second assist in as many days after recording the first of his collegiate career in Saturday's win over Willamette.
Whittier continued pressing after the equalizer and looked for a late winner, but the Poets could not find a second goal before the final whistle.
The Poets finished with a 14-10 advantage in shots after their dominant second half and put five attempts on goal. Whittier also earned three corner kicks while holding Russell Sage to two.
Degardin put both of his shots on target, while Gluch added two shots on goal and Born recorded another.
Saldivar played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with three saves. After a busy opening half, the Whittier defense held Russell Sage without a shot on target after halftime.
The draw continued Whittier's unbeaten start to the season and gave the Poets another strong second-half performance to build from after scoring twice after halftime in Saturday's victory.
Whittier finishes its five-game season-opening homestand on Sunday, September 13, against Elmhurst University. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.
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