Third straight victory propels Athenas into second place

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd Scripps women's soccer team shutout Redlands 2-0 and jumped two spots in the SCIAC conference. The Athenas have now made it five consecutive matches without a loss, and have only allowed two goals through that stretch.

Just over a minute into the match junior forward Katelyn Faust (CMC) had a strong opportunity near the goal after she won the ball from a defender. Faust fired a quick low shot on net, but goalkeeper Lexi Felix came through for Redlands early and made the diving stop.

Redlands best chance of the half came in the 21^st minute when Cassie Lively sent a mid-level shot on goal from the center of the box but junior goalkeeper Kelly McConnell (HMC) used solid positioning to handle the attempt.

Six minutes later on what appeared to be a broken play, junior midfielder Makella Brems (CMC) gathered a bouncing ball, turned and fired from well outside the box and the shot beat Felix in the top right corner for a 1-0 CMS lead.

Brems had an opportunity for another in the 38^th minute when she took a quick pass off a free kick and drove to the net on the right side, but sent a shot just off the far post.

Minutes into the second frame, the Bulldogs appeared to score on a rebound after new goalkeeper Morgan McCoy (CMC) made the initial save off a shot from the left side. Redlands attackers drove to the net and punched in the second attempt but in the process knocked McCoy down and out of position, and the play was called back on a foul.

Remi Edwards (CMC) and Laynee Laube (CMC) had a series of chances mid-way through the second half originating off a corner but couldn't connect.

In the 79^th minute sophomore forward Natalie Ricci (CMC) found herself wide open on the near side and took short crossing pass from Emily Cassell (CMC). Ricci ripped the ball into the open section of the cage and tallied her first goal of the year, all but ensuring a CMS victory.

The Athenas outshot Redlands 15-11, and McConnell and McCoy shutout the five Bulldog attempts that were on frame.

CMS handed Felix her first loss this season, after she had previously posted a 3-0-1 mark through 9 games played.

In 10 of the Athenas' 12 matches they have allowed only one goal or less, including seven shutouts. That mark gives CMS a SCIAC leading 0.86 goals against average thanks in large part to SCIAC saves leader Kelly McConnell.

The Athenas will be right back on the field Sunday Oct. 11 for a matinee matchup with UC Santa Cruz.

Only Pomona-Pitzer stands between CMS and first place in the SCIAC conference, with a sixth street rivalry showdown coming up on Oct.14.

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

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