The University of Redlands women's soccer team hosted the Whittier College Poets in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown on Wednesday during Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Farquhar Field. Amidst a physical yet relatively equal battle, the Bulldogs struggled to overcome a first-half hole and ultimately lost in a 0-2 decision.

Junior midfielder Hayley Romo (Port Orchard, WA) started the offense for the Bulldogs, as she tried her foot on a good look but the shot was blocked by a Whittier defender. In the 19th minute, senior goalkeeper Hannah Menk (Pleasanton, CA) was tested twice within seconds of each other but came up with two huge saves to keep the Poets at bay.

In the 29th minute, sophomore forward Gabby Hart (Sammamish, WA) sent a sharp blast toward goal but it went just wide. Shortly after, junior defender Madison Mills (San Ramon, CA) blasted off two shots that were blocked, while sophomore midfielder Mel Johnson (Bremerton, WA) took a touch towards goal off a corner kick from senior defender Erin Schlosser (Sammamish, WA).

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Whittier netted two, quick goals within two minutes of each to put Redlands in a 0-2 hole nearing halftime.

In the 62nd minute, sophomore midfielder Hanya Loskutoff (Dublin, CA) had a nice shot on goal that forced the goalkeeper to make a stop. Play intensified throughout the second stanza, as both teams fired off quality opportunities to score.

Redlands' best chance came at the 89:36-mark when Schlosser rocketed a set piece from 30 yards out. The Whittier goalkeeper had to leap and punch the ball over the crossbar to make the save. The Maroon and Gray had time for just one more corner kick but could not capitalize on the final opportunity.

Redlands (7-5, 4-5 SCIAC) looks to return to the win column on Saturday, October 14, when the team heads to Occidental College for a SCIAC match. Kick-off is slated for 5:15 p.m.