Los Angeles, CA – The Occidental Tigers hosted the Whittier College Poets for the final regular season SCIAC game on Saturday, April 27, 2024.  In a commanding display, the Tigers seized control of the contest, storming to an emphatic 23-4 victory and capping of their regular season with a resounding statement of dominance.

Right from the outset, Oxy asserted their authority on Patterson Field, unleashing a relentless offensive onslaught that left the Poets reeling.  In a scintillating first period, the Tigers surged ahead, notching six goals while staunchly shutting down Whittier's offensive advances to keep them off the scoreboard.

Leading the charge for the Tigers' offensive were Halle Knutson and Olivia Okamoto, who ignited Oxy's scoring spree with precision.  Knutson opened the floodgates with a goal just over a minute into the game, swiftly followed by Okamoto's own goal only 20 seconds later, setting the tone for an unforgiving performance.

Undeterred by Whittier's attempts to stem the tide, the Tigers continued to pour on the pressure in the second period, adding another six goals to their tally.  While the Poets managed to find the back of the net twice, it was clear that Oxy had firmly established control of the contest and had no intentions of relinquishing their lead.

Okamoto and Knutson emerged as standout performers for the Tigers, spearheading the offensive change with five points each.  Okamoto showcased her scoring prowess with four goals and one assist, while Knutson demonstrated her playmaking ability with three goals and two assists.  Ariel Shweiki and Bella Kwan also made significant contributions, chipping in with three goals apiece to further advance the team's firepower.

On the defensive end, Ellie Mahoney distinguished herself with her tenacity and athleticism, securing four ground balls and providing crucial support in transitioning the Tigers from defense to offense.  Meanwhile, Ella Skoglund proved to be a disruptive force, causing two turnovers and thwarting Whittier's attempts to gain momentum.

In a crucial aspect of the game, Maeve Moylan emerged as a pivotal figure for the Tigers, dominating the draw control battle and securing eight possessions for the team, thereby affording Oxy valuable opportunities to maintain their offensive pressure and control of the game.

The Tigers ended their regular season campaign in style with the powerful win over the Poets.