For four students, the women’s soccer game against Whittier on Friday, October 26 marked the end of a definitive period in their lives.

With a truly dominant 6-0 win in the last game of the season, Susan Houge, Johanna Kirsch, Taylor Matheson, and Torrey Shelton, all class of ’02, ended their soccer careers with Pomona-Pitzer. The Hens hadn’t won by such a margin all season.

"We all wanted to end on a good note, especially the seniors," said Coach Eli Koenn-Bollinger. "This game provided a great note."

However, this season P-P’s record of 4-8 in the SCIAC and 7-10 overall left something to be desired.

"The team had a frustrating season as far as our record goes," said Sarah Staller ’04. "And the game against Whittier gave us a final opportunity to reclaim our integrity as a team. So, we were really fired up for this last game."

P-P prepared itself for this final game with the memory of an October 3 overtime win against the Poets.

"Before the kickoff, I was really nervous," said Hogue, who played her final game Friday. "I wanted everyone to put their hearts into it, and they did."

While the Poets held the Hens scoreless in the first half, Pomona-Pitzer unquestionably dominated the entire game. Kate Sundquist ’04 won the ball on the kickoff, and everything came together from there. During the first half, passion overcame P-P as they had good scoring opportunities and played strong defense.

"We had so many attempts to score in the first half," says Staller. "There was no doubt that one goal would open up the flood gates. Because of the tie at half-time, we came out much harder in the second period."

Once the second half begun, it didn’t take long for P-P to get into a groove that lasted for the rest of the game.

Less than four minutes into the half, their run began when Sundquist gave Maggie Curnutte ’05 a pass that the latter converted into a goal. Immediately, the momentum shifted entirely to the Sagehens as they scored five more goals.

Shelton scored with just under 35 minutes left in the second half, and Lauren Salvail ’03 increased the lead to 3-0 only two minutes later. Next, the Sagehens found a pleasant surprise in first-year Katie Heitman’s goal, the team’s fourth, immediately after her substitution into the game.

However, the offensive star of last Friday’s game was Staller. She scored the final two goals for P-P and assisted on two others.

"She played very solid and intense as always," said Hogue of Staller. "Her great second half proved it."

"I missed a lot of shots in the first half," said Staller of her own performance. "I became frustrated with myself. In the second half people started to score, and that made the game a blast to play. The high point for me occurred when I scored my second goal, because it was probably my best shot of the season."

Aside from offense, the defensive side of the Hens’ game came together very impressively. Ashley Thompson ’03 shutout the Poets and made some incredible plays in the process. Most notably, with 15 minutes left in the game, she kept Whittier scoreless with a one-on-one save against a Poet who had broken away.

"The whole defense and I wanted a shutout," said Thompson. "It was our main goal, and this accomplishment was an excellent way to end the season. Last time we played Whittier they took us into overtime, but we really stepped it up and got some confidence on Friday."

Despite a season with various frustrations, this win gives the team hope that next year will bring brighter days and stronger games.

"As a first-year coach, I didn’t know any of the players at the start," said Coach Koenn-Bollinger. "Only about half way through the season we figured it out. If we continue to play with this same spirit as Friday, we will contend as a team in the future."

"On the defensive end, we won’t lose anyone next year," added Thompson. "So we can carry this momentum with us."

While the 2002 season remains in the back of the minds of everyone on the team, last week became a time to remember the seniors and the many games they’ve had.

"We want to carry this energy into next year," said Staller. "But we’ll miss our seniors way too much."

Coach Koenn-Bollinger noticed the strength of this year’s graduates the moment she stepped in as coach.

"I have so much admiration and respect for them," she said. "They came to school in excellent condition and rarely sat out at all. All four of them are truly admirable people."

As the team celebrated a game well played, Hogue held back her emotions surrounding this last game to say, "I’m going to miss being a Sagehen."