WHITTIER, Calif. — Madison Shipherd, who got the overtime winner off a free kick against the La Verne women's soccer team on Sept. 19, scored on an identical shot for the winner on Wednesday as Whittier beat the Leopards, 3-1, at Graham Field.
La Verne falls to 5-6-2 overall and 3-5-1 in SCIAC play. Whittier improves to 8-4-0 and 5-4-0. The Leopards are five points off a SCIAC Postseason Tournament with six games remaining.
The Poets controlled the match as they outshot the Leopards, 17-4, for the game and, 8-1, in the second half.
Whittier drew seven corner kicks in the first half and outdrew La Verne, 8-1, overall.
La Verne started well. Cassidy Schweiger tested Whittier goalkeeper Alexi Cruz in the 5th minute and Kelsea Varner forced another save two minutes later.
But the Leopards committed a foul just outside the penalty box in the 22nd minute and Shipherd connected on the free kick to put the Poets ahead. She then assisted Mikaila Cravalho-Myers' insurance goal in the 80th minute.
Jasmine Valadez once again turned in a solid performance between the sticks as she turned away four shots in each half.
The Leopards return home on Saturday after a three-game road swing to host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 7 p.m.