Golden Chances Elude Stags in Draw with Kingsmen

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Stags and Kingsmen went the distance on Wednesday evening, after 90 minutes of play the score stood even at 1-1. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps had all sorts of chances in the first overtime period, but were unable to find the back of the cage for the golden goal. Despite dangerous chances from Cal Lutheran in the second overtime, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

After an early goal in the 27th minute from Cal Lutheran, Matthew Swift (CMC) tallied the equalizer in the 59th minute off a cross from Nate Huntington (CMC).

As mentioned, the Kingsmen struck first with a goal in the 27th minute. Danny Pacheco carried the ball up the right-side for Cal Lutheran and delivered a low-ball to the back post. CMS keeper, Connor Gaskin (CMC) dove to try and deflect the ball, but Max Sharpe ran onto the ball and tapped it into the open goal for the 1-0 lead.

Despite putting shots on frame in the sixth and 34th minutes, the Stags had their best opportunity of the half in the 41st minute. After the Stags earned a corner kick, Henry Kraham (CMC) delivered a low, hard cross. Luke Scanlan (CMC) connected on the cross, but his attempt sailed just high of the bar.

Just moments later, Kraham sent an attempt of his own on frame, but it was saved by the Kingsmen's keeper and Cal Lutheran took a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Coming out of the half, the Stags were in search of the equalizer. CMS took four corner kicks in the first 13 minutes of the half, but were unable to find the back of the net until Nate Huntington sent a cross in from the left-side in the 59th minute. Matthew Swift volleyed the cross past the keeper from inside the box to level the score at 1-1.

In the 87th minute, Gaskin was called on to make a key save to force overtime. The sophomore, making his first start between the pipes this season, was up for the challenge, diving to make the save and force extra time.

Just four minutes into the first overtime period it looked like Leonardo Lindo (HMC) was going to send the CMS fans home happy. A high ball over top of the Kingsmen's backline put Lindo one-on-one with the keeper. Lindo attempted to slot a shot under the keeper's left hand, but Eduardo Garcia got down to make the save and the match continued.

Less than a minute later, Lindo had another opportunity, but his one-time shot in traffic from the left-side ended in the goalie's hands. Huntington, Swift, and Yusuke Kobayashi (CMC) also had chances late in the period but Swift's and Koabashi's shots when high and Huntington's was saved.

In the second overtime period the Stags earned three corner kicks but were unable to get off a clean look. The Kingsmen attempted four shots in the period with the most dangerous opportunity coming in the 109th minute with Brandon Kearney got behind the defense and sent a shot from the right end line that went just wide.

The Stags finished with a 16-14 lead in shots and a 10-6 advantage in attempts on goal, but the contest finished in a 1-1 draw.

Connor Gaskin made five saves in goal for CMS while Eduardo Garcia made nine for Cal Lutheran.

The Stags move to 2-7-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the SCIAC. CMS will next take the field on Saturday morning when they make the short trip across the street to square off with their rivals, Pomona-Pitzer. CMS will be looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Sagehens just last weekend. Game time between the Stags and Sagehens is set for 11:00 a.m.