Poets upset by CMS to end SCIAC title chances

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Whittier's bid for its first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title since 2004 came to an end on Saturday afternoon as the fifth-seed Stags of The Claremont Colleges upset the top-seeded, and No. 1 ranked, Poets, 6-5, in the semifinals of the 2009 SCIAC Tournament.

The five goals the Poets scored was lowest offensive production since a 13-5 loss to Santa Barbara on October 4. Whittier scored two goals in the first quarter and one in each the second, third and fourth.

Whittier (18-12, 8-1 SCIAC) had a chance in the closing minute of the game to tie the score but Brandon Babot's shot hit off the crossbar as time expired. The Poets earned a man-up situation but couldn't convert the tying scoring in the upset loss.

Alex Perry scored two goals and drew one ejection and Rilesh Desai added a pair of goals, one assist and one drawn ejection. Robert Nihei had the other Poet score.

The loss knocks the Poets into the third place game against third-seeded Pomona-Pitzer. A win by the Poets would clinch a berth into next weekend's Western Water Polo Association Tournament which will take place at Chapman University.

The Poets and Sagehens are set for a 12:30 pm start.