Otero's Late Goal Gives CMS Men's Soccer 2-1 Win over Pomona-Pitzer

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Rafael Otero scored with just under 10 minutes remaining to break a 1-1 tie and give the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team a 2-1 road win over Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, CMS improves to 4-2-2 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play, while Pomona-Pitzer slips to 1-5-3 overall and 0-3-2 in conference. 

John Laidlaw assisted on both CMS goals and set up the game-winner when he turned the corner up the left side of the field. He sent a low cross into the middle of the penalty area, where Otero was able to settle it and then roll a low shot inside the left post for the game-winner. 

It was the second time in Otero's career that he has defeated the Sagehens, although the first was more dramatic, coming on overtime golden goal in his freshman season. This one still left CMS with 10 minutes of work to do to hold on to the 2-1 lead, and the Sagehens nearly were able to equalize, but Keyon Namdar hit the crossbar from inside the penalty area with just over six minutes left. 

The Sagehens did answer the first CMS goal, when Laidlaw sent a header across the goalmouth, where it was finished by James Gomez in front, for his third goal in the last two games. That goal came at the 54:59 mark of the second half, but Pomona-Pitzer was able to tie it just under a minute later on a goal from Aidan McLennan at the 55:53 mark. 

CMS finished with a 14-5 edge in shots and a 9-2 edge in corner kicks on the day. Kevin Box went the distance in goal to get the win for the Stags. 

CMS will be back in action on Wednesday night when it hosts La Verne for a 7 p.m. contest.