Women's Soccer fall 3-1 to No. 3 Chicago in Season Opener

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team did not get the result it wanted in the season opener as the Athenas (0-1-0) fell 3-1 to No. 3 University of Chicago (1-0-0). The Athenas looked physical on the back end, preventing the Maroons from getting comfortable on the attack, but Chicago managed to make the most out of its limited chances to come away with the victory. Katie Jasminski, Adrianna Vera, and Hanna Watkins scored for the Maroons, all off assists. Sophomore Rhiann Holman (CMC) scored the Athenas' first goal of the 2017 season, unleashing a curling free kick that slipped past the keeper's hand and into the net. 

The match was a defensive battle. Although the Maroons outshot the Athenas 13-5, CMS played tight defense to deny Chicago clean opportunities. Sophomore Hayden Craig (CMC) recorded five saves during the first half while freshman goalie Claire Hamson (CMC) made her debut between the post in the second half and had two saves. Sydney Talmi (CMC) and Jacey Coniff (HMC) put in a solid shift on the defensive end, working relentlessly to deny Chicago clear entry into the box. 

The two teams looked equally matched as the Athenas worked to prevent Chicago from making any creative passes into the box. However, in the 31st minute, Charlotte Waechter flicked a quick through ball to Jasminski who quickly fired off the first touch to break the deadlock. 

Vera wasted no time to double the lead in the start of the second half, finishing a high cross from Kelsey Moore in the box and heading it from the right side of the goal. Later in the 60th minute, Sydney Mathis found Watkins on a through pass through the Athenas' tight defense as Watkins converted her chance at ease to give CMS a 3-0 lead. 

Later in the 67th minute, the Maroons committed a foul on the edge of the box, giving the Athenas a free kick. Holman unleashed a curling free kick into the top left corner of the goal, slipping past the goalkeeper's outstretched arms to cut the Maroons' lead 3-1. The two teams continued to contain each other's offense for the rest of the half. In the 88th minute, Sydney Smith (CMC) looked to have an opportunity to cut the deficit to one, but her shot was well-blocked by the keeper. The Athenas couldn't convert on the following corner kick and the Maroons held on for the win.

The Athenas will return to Pritzlaff Field on Sunday morning, September 3 at 11 a.m.  

For the most up-to-date information, stats, news, schedules, highlights, and more visit CMSathletics.org throughout the season and follow the Stags and Athenas on social media.

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