Athenas Lose To Bulldogs 2-1

The women's soccer team lost a tough battle to the University of Redlands 2-1 on Saturday.  CMS scored first in the 26th minute when Julia Nishioka found Madi Shove at the top of the box. Shove battled through a couple of defenders and buried her shot from the top of the 18 yard box.  Both teams battled hard in the first half with Redlands having more chances at goal.  However, keeper Hannah Dunham and the CMS defense came up big to hold them scoreless at half.

The Athenas came out pressuring early in the second half and generated a few chances at goal, but could not find the net.  In the 51st minute, Redlands recovered the ball in midfield and Fionna Connelly finished a high shot from about 25 yards out.  Once again, the game became a battle with both teams causing trouble for the other team's defense.  Shortly after CMS defender Amy Hershberger went down with a knee injury,  the CMS defense did not get shifted enough and a Redlands forward found herself in behind the defense and one on one with Dunham and scored.  The goal put Redlands up 2-1 and despite a flurry of shots and corners in the closing minutes, the Athenas could not pull back even.

The result drops the Athenas to 4-2 (t2nd) in SCIAC as they end the first round of play.  The Athenas are on the road Wednesday at Chapman at 5:00 and then begin the second round of conference play next Saturday at Cal Lutheran at 1:00.