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Los Angeles, CA — Oxy's men's soccer team was in action at home against the Whittier Poets on Saturday night. 

The Tigers came out of the gate with energy and focus, quickly taking a lead over the Poets. The Whittier goalie had come out of goal to make a pass when Oxy defender Max Stanley intercepted the pass and took full advantage of an open goal to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. 

Oxy would never look back in this game, adding another goal in the 20th minute of the game as Joey Schwartz would make a nice steal of a Poets' pass attempt. Schwartz would dribble the ball forward before placing a strong kick past the goalie and into the net to double the Tigers' early lead. 

Schwartz was back at it again not even two full minutes later when the Oxy offense was presented with another opportunity on their side of the field. Max Stanley made a throw-in pass that was deflected into the middle of the field by a Poet defender. Schwartz took a couple steps back to get around the ball before turning around to his left at the top of the box and kicking a strike past the right of the goalkeeper.

Schwartz' second goal of the game increased the Tiger's lead to 3-0, which would be the score of the game heading into halftime. 

Oxy would come out strong in the 2nd half, looking to add to their lead and secure the win. After another strong defensive effort to stop a Whittier offensive attack, the ball was cleared out to midfield by an Oxy player. Jake Foster was able to gain possession and take the ball down the left side of the field before passing to Tyler Na-Nakornpanom who was able to get a good look at a shot from in close and finish it off for Oxy's fourth goal of the game. 

Another Max Stanley throw-in pass set the Tigers up to make another push downfield in the 60th minute of the game. Na-Nakornpanom once again ended up with the ball and was able to dribble past all Poet defenders and just barely sneak the ball past the reach of the goalie as the ball would slowly roll into the goal for the Tiger's fifth and final score of the game.

Oxy played phenomenal on both sides of the ball in this one, totaling five scores and limiting Whittier to one shot on goal for the game. The Tiger's 5-0 win now gives them an overall record of 9-2-2 and conference record of 6-1-2.

Next Game: Be sure to make it out to Patterson Field on Saturday, October 22nd for a men's soccer Homecoming game matchup with the University of La Verne Leopards at 7:00PM.