2008 Season Review

In the 2008 season, Pomona-Pitzer proved their competitiveness but also struggled with consistency. The team did not lose to any SCIAC team twice and earned several significant victories over west region competitors. However, they just missed a bid to the conference tournament, finishing in fifth place, a half-game back from fourth-place finishers the University of La Verne. Despite this, the Hens ended the season with a winning SCIAC record of 6-5-1 as well as a winning overall record of 9-8-1.  Throughout the season, the Sagehens were trapped in a pattern of alternating victories and defeats. This pattern was finally broken at the end of the season, when the Hens won their final three contests.

After graduating four seniors and adding six freshmen to the roster, the Sagehens started the season with three competitive non-conference games. While falling short in 2-1 losses against both St. Thomas and Whitman, the Hens defeated Chapman University in a decisive 4-1 victory. SCIAC play started with a tough 1-0 loss to Redlands. The Hens first conference victory was a 2-0 defeat of Occidental. By the end of the first round of conference play the Sagehens were looking at a 2-3-1 SCIAC record.

The second round of conference play began with an epic, 1-0 double-overtime victory over Redlands. The game-winning goal came with 8 seconds left on the clock and gave the Hens their first victory over the Bulldogs in five-years. After a tough 2-1 double-overtime loss to Cal Lutheran, the Sagehens responded with a 3-0 win over CMS on senior day. The following day the Hens came out on top again, with a 3-2 win against Macalester College. A difficult 1-0 road loss to Occidental put the Hens playoff hopes in opponent hands.  Despite back to back shutout wins over La Verne and Whittier, postseason play was not an option for the Sagehens. The season wrapped up with a 3-2 win against west region opponent UC Santa Cruz.  With wins against UCSC, Redlands and CMS, Pomona-Pitzer earned victories over three teams that went on to play in the NCAA Division III tournament.

Three Pomona-Pitzer players made All-Conference honors. Juniors Elli Seo and Claire McGroder were selected to the 1st team. Freshman Katy Metcalf, the team’s leading goal scorer, was selected to the 2nd  team. The SCIAC Award of Distinction was bestowed on senior Sagehen Lily Hitchner. Lily is the second person from Pomona-Pitzer to receive the award, which recognizes her academics, extracurriculars, and service.  Playing in their last season for Pomona-Pitzer were seniors Kaitlin Swarts, Caroline Flynn, Paige Maas, Angie Martinez, Julia Carr and Lily Hitchner. The Hens will return 17 players to the squad in 2009 and look to be among the top finishers in SCIAC play and earn a spot in the conference tournament.