ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University women's soccer team recorded their first victory over the Whittier College Poets in program history on Friday evening at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

The Lady Lions have now faced the Poets four times since the program's inception in 2009, falling to Whittier College in 2010, 2016, and 2017. First-year striker Araceli Soto-Garcia's goal in the 19^th minute of the match proved to be the game-winner, lifting Soka to their second-straight program-first win over their opponents; the first win coming just two days prior when they defeated the San Diego Christian Hawks 5-2.

Soto had her hand in Soka's first goal of the game as well, after sophomore outside back Renee Parado served a driven pass across the field, finding her in stride. Soto laid the ball off to first-year attacking midfielder Sasha Brafman at the top of the 18-yard box, who took a touch to her right and slipped her shot low.  Brafman's shot sailed towards the back post past the Poets' goal keeper for the 1-0 lead, and her first career goal for the Lionesses.

Soto's game-winner came twelve seconds later, and stemmed from an intercepted pass by Whittier's center back. Soto quickly closed down her defender and cut off the passing lane catching the Poets off guard, and resulting in a turnover. Soto capitalized on the self-created opportunity, and chipped her shot into the back of the net for what would prove to be the go-ahead goal for Soka University.

Whittier's Jazmin Gonzalez scored the Poet's lone goal of the game after Soka's Ashley Bustamante was quick off of her line, and made a stellar sliding save at the top of the box. However, Gonzalez got on the end of the rebounded shot and finished her chance in the 52^nd minute bringing the final score to 2-1. 

Up next, the Soka will host Occidental College on Saturday, Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
 
 




NOTES: This is the fourth meeting between the Lady Lions and the Poets… Soka is now 1-3 against Whittier College…This is the first time since 2011 that the Lady Lions have opened up their season with back-to-back wins… Araceli Soto has nine points in two games with a combined four goals and one assist… Whittier College outshot Soka 16-11... Soka's Bustamante made seven saves on the day… yellow cards were show to Soka's Kaitlyn Haibel and Whittier College's Bella Capellino De Escobeda.