Cal Lu hands Athenas 8-6 loss
CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team fought hard but was unable to come away with a win on Saturday morning against Cal Lutheran, losing 8-6. CMS (6-15, 0-3) was shut out by the Regals (11-9, 2-1) in the first quarter and that ended up being the difference in the contest.
Both teams had shots off the posts and cross bars in the first period as the defense made it difficult to get off clean shots. Nicole Roed scored twice for the Regals for the only two goals of the period. In the cage, Mariah Mastrodimos (SC) made a big save midway through the period.
Sophomore Tess van Hulsen (CMC) broke the scoring drought for the Athenas with a goal at the 5:15 mark in the second period. Christin Hirn countered in the next possession to put CLU up 3-1, but then Mastrodimos made another spectacular save on a penalty shot to keep the game within reach. For CMS' second goal, junior Roxy Kiessling (CMC) was assisted by senior Shannon Golden (CMC) to trail just 4-2 going into halftime.
Each team scored four goals in the second half, resulting in the 8-6 win for the Regals. Roed completed a hat trick with the first score of the second half and then junior Jessica Gaffney (CMC) scored on a power play 46 seconds later. Kiessling brought the Athenas within one at 5-4 with a last second goal off a steal by Gaffney in the third, boosting team morale.
CMS brought more pressure in the fourth as they battled to tie up the game.
The Regals scored two quick ones at 4:48 and 4:05 to stretch out their lead. Kiessling answered with a goal in the upper right corner to bring it to 7-5. CMS had another opportunity when the CLU goalie was excluded, but could not convert. The teams traded goals in the final two minutes as CLU ended up with the 8-6 advantage.
The Athenas get back in the pool tomorrow, Sunday, March 26, for a 4 p.m. game vs. Brown University at Axelrood Pool.
By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director
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