Shields gives Athenas 1-0 win over rival Sagehens

Watch postmatch interview with Darrah Shields

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team beat their Sixth-Street rival Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, in a close match that would be decided on a fantastic individual effort.

Early in the second half, senior forward Darrah Shields (CMC) made what would turn out to be the play of the game, intercepting a Pomona-Pitzer breakout attempt just outside the box and capitalizing on the fast break, chipping the ball over a diving goalkeeper and into the back-left corner of the net. Shields scored what would turn out to be the lone goal of the contest and the game-winner for the Athenas, her second goal in as many games.

The first half featured scoring chances for both sides, with the Athenas' best chance coming late in the period off a Mia Siracusa (SCR) corner that freshman forward Remi Edwards (CMC) would fire just over the goal.

After Shields scored to give the Athenas the lead in the 56^th minute, Pomona-Pitzer would respond quickly with a flurry of shot attempts in close off a corner kick. However, only one would find its way through to goalkeeper Kelly McConnell (HMC) thanks to the blocking effort of multiple CMS defenders near the goal crease.

Pomona-Pitzer would not get many more chances to tie the game as CMS controlled the ball for a majority of the remaining 32 minutes, outshooting the Sagehens 9-1 the rest of the way and 20-9 in the match.

McConnell faced four shots on goal through the 90 minute frame and turned aside all four attempts for her second shutout of the season.

Now on a three-match point streak, Shields said the Athenas' focus going forward is on continuing to win games in regulation.

"We just need to mentally stay focused and have the right goals going into the game, telling ourselves the first five minutes is the time to turn it up and raise the intensity level and fire some shots on goal," Shields said. "We have a lot of finishers, so I think with the more teams we play we'll gain more confidence and I think that will really help us put away a game in regulation time."

CMS now holds a 3-2-1 (1-1 SCIAC) record on the year with each of their three wins being decided by one goal. CMS will look to win two-straight for the first time in 2015 as they return to Pritzlaff Field against the University of La Verne on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

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