Men's Soccer Scores 3 Second Half Goals to Beat Whittier

Photo by Shira Oneal-Abend

Story by Billy Lopez, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

LA VERNE, CA — The SCIAC opener for the University of La Verne men's soccer team did not disappoint. The Leopards twice erased deficits off three second half goals to beat the visiting Whittier College Poets 3-2 Wednesday night.  

Joel Trejo provided an early contender for goal of the year in the 83rd minute with the Leopards trailing 2-1. The freshman lined up for a free kick just outside the penalty box and kissed the shot off the right post and in the back of the net to even the game up 2-2.

The Leopards rode the momentum as just three minutes later senior captain James Coe followed it up with lofted just over the outstretched arms of the keeper to give La Verne its first lead of the match at 3-2 and what proved to be the difference-maker. Coe had been fliering with a goal all match finally connecting on his fifth shot of the night and third shot on goal.

It was junior Owen Osagiede who got the Leopards rolling in the second half. Fresh off a weekend where he played the hero and scored the Leopards' lone goal in a 1-0 win over George Fox, the reining Leopard of the Week grabbed the ball on the far sideline, fended off a tackle, drove into the box, froze the goalie, and sent a shot through a pair of defenders to tie the game 1-1 in the 61st minute.

Owen Osagiede, Joel Trejo, and James Coe after La Verne men?s soccer 3-2 win over Whittier. #d3soc #GoLeos pic.twitter.com/6O42auzOOx

— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) September 16, 2021

The Leopards defense would hold off the Poets in the final five minutes of the match and took the SCIAC opener at home. 

The Leopards found themselves in a tightly contested match from the start where both goalkeepers seemed to be on their best game. Senior Kevan Rehmani played all 90 minutes in the net making four crucial saves to keep La Verne alive.

In the 35th minute, Banks Telkamp of the Poets found himself alone behind the defense off a pass from Daniel Hayes to make it 1-0 Whitter. Grant Rutledge put Whittier back ahead in the 70th minute to make it 2-1 Poets, setting up the Leopards' comeback.

HC Trevor Persson talks about the Leopards? win. #GoLeos #d3soc pic.twitter.com/Ljbciu0uVc

— La Verne Leopards (@ULVAthletics) September 16, 2021

Season Impact

The Leopards improved to 2-2-1 overall and 1-0 in SCIAC. The Poets dropped to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in SCIAC. 

Next Up

La Verne will look to build off their come from behind victory this Saturday back at home against visiting Claremont Mudd-Scripps.