WHITTIER, CA- Sophomore Payton Cichowski scored an early second half goal, but host Whittier College answered with under 13 minutes left to hold off UC Santa Cruz 2-1 on Saturday. UC Santa Cruz goes to 4-2-1 while Whittier stays undefeated on the year at 5-0-1.

The Poets opened the scoring 6 minutes in. Karina Bulli nearly equalized for UC Santa Cruz in the 35th minute, but her blast from ten yards hit the post and went out for a goal kick. Dana Depiero's 30-yard shot was saved as the half ended. Trailing 1-0 at the break, Cichowski tied the game for UC Santa Cruz 2:54 after the restart. She got on the end of Camille Anneet's pass and one-touched it home from four yards. It was her first goal of the season. However, the hosts kept pressing and Layla Traylor scored the eventual game-winner with 12:35 remaining. Julia Hernandez had UC Santa Cruz's last chance to tie, but her 27-yard free kick with 4:36 left went just over the bar.

Overall, Whittier had a 23-11 shot advantage. Amelia Brown had six saves in goal, while the Banana Slug defense stepped up with seven defensive saves. The Banana Slugs remain in Los Angeles to play La Verne on Monday.