Photo by samsphotoservices.com

Occidental College's lacrosse team faced Pomona-Pitzer at home in their second round of conference play last Saturday, April 8th. The first time they faced the nationally ranked No. 20 Pomona-Pitzer, who shut them out. However, while this game ended with a score of 24-4, favoring the Sagehens, the Tigers were proud of their performance as it illustrates how much they've improved this season. 

After the Tigers' first time out of the game, Occidental College came back on the field battling hard. The Tigers' defense held the Pomona Pitzer offense and caused their first turnover of the game. The Tiger's defense had many crucial stops throughout the game, one of which lasted almost two whole minutes after all ninety seconds of the shot clock had been used and was reset when sophomore goalie Andie Angelacci made an impressive save. Occidental's defense had an incredible second quarter when they held the Sagehens to only four goals. Additionally, two first-year defenders, Ellie Mahoney and Sydney Acol, led the team in ground ball pick-ups with three each. 

While many of the Tigers' midfielders and defenders held strong one v. ones against the Sagehen's attackers, some of whom won all region awards last season, the score would have been very different if Andie Angelacci had not been in goal. Angelacci had an amazing game with fourteen saves. She is currently ranked second out of every goalie in the SCIAC for number of saves in conference play (86).

On the offensive side of the field, first-year midfielder, Ava Whelan, led the team with two goals. Her free position goal in the second quarter was the Tiger's first goal against the Sagehens all season. Soon after, Whelan scored her second goal off of an assist from first-year midfielder Olivia Okamoto. Following Whelan, Okamoto scored off of a free position in the third quarter, and the Tigers' final goal was in the fourth quarter off of a strong leftie drive made by sophomore midfielder Ella Skoglund. The Tigers ended the game scoring two out of the three free positions awarded to them. Okamoto led the team in assists and shared the lead in draw controls. Two of the Tigers' attackers led the team in draw controls as well! Junior attacker Ariel Shweiki and senior attacker and captain Cara Bekas earned two draw controls.

The Tigers hit the road this Wednesday, April 12th to play the Redland University Bulldogs. The game begins at 7:00pm. This may be the last time the Tigers face the Bulldogs until next Spring, so come out and support Occidental's lacrosse team if you're able! See you Wednesday.