Poets score 12 second half goals in win over Linfield

WHITTIER, Calif. - Ana Garcia and Sherise Varga scored four goals apiece as they led the Whittier College women's lacrosse team to a 15-7 win over Linfield on Friday evening at Memorial Stadium.

The Poets (3-5) held a mere 3-1 advantage but exploded for 12 second half goals.

Lauren Bibby scored the game's first goal and Garcia answered with back-to-back goals in a seven minute span to give the purple and gold a 3-0 lead. Linfield (0-4) got its lone first half goal by Sammy Smith who scored as time expired on the clock.

Four different Poets scored to open the second half as Garcia, Tessa Padilla (2g), Varga and Alex Holtz (1g, 1a) extended the WC lead to 8-1. The Wildcats scored the four of the next five goals to close the gap to 9-5 but the Poets ended the game on a 6-2 run en route to the eight goal win.

Conny Joel made 10 saves in the win and the Poets committed only 14 turnovers to Linfield's 26.

Emily Mukai scored corralled five ground balls and caused four turnovers to lead the defensive effort.

WC made good no 15-of-19 clears and outshot the Wildcats 42-23.

The Poets return to action on Sunday, March 29, as they face the University of Puget Sound at Noon. UPS beat Whittier 14-13 on March 15.

Photo by: Tony Leon/Action West Photography