Box Score CLAREMONT, CA. – The No. 9 Pomona-Pitzer Women's Soccer team finished off their last regular season home contest with a 1-0 win over Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opponent Chapman on Wednesday afternoon at the Pomona-Pitzer Soccer Field.
Season Impact: With the win, the Sagehens improve to 13-1-1 overall and 9-1 in SCIAC play.
The Sagehens were led by senior Bria VarnBuhler who netted the only goal of the day in the win. Senior Isa Berardo notched another shutout in goal as they came away with two saves for the Sagehens' 12th shutout of the season. The Sagehen defense has allowed just five goals this season with just two of those coming at home.
The Panthers came in looking for revenge as two of the top teams in the SCIAC faced off for the second time this season with the Sagehens previously leaving Orange County with a 1-0 win earlier in the year.
The Sagehen offense was working early on against the Panthers as Pomona-Pitzer outshot Chapman 10-2 in the first half and 16-6 for the game. Pomona-Pitzer had a big chance in the 12th minute as VarnBuhler had a good look at goal but her shot went just right of the post as the game remained scoreless. VarnBuhler made herself another chance in the 26th minute and wouldn't be denied this time after she danced around multiple defenders at the top of the box and caught the keeper leaning and slotted it towards the left side of the goal to give the Sagehens a 1-0 lead.
Pomona-Pitzer possessed the ball well in the second half to preserve their 1-0 lead as the Panthers had very little opportunities to find an equalizer. The Sagehens got a chance to extend their lead after the chapman defense conceded a penalty shot after a challenge through the back of an attacker gave sophomore Anna Ponzio a shot from the spot. The Chapman keeper came away with a big penalty save to keep the deficit at 1-0 in the 83rd minute.
Chapman had a big chance late in the game after a missed header by the Sagehen backline left an open shot for the Panthers but it was missed wide as any chance of a comeback went sailing out of bounds.
Up Next: The Sagehens will next travel to SCIAC opponent Whittier on Saturday, October 30th at 7:00 p.m.
