Eng leads Athenas in goal-fest win over Tigers
LA VERNE, Calif. – Following the tough opening round loss to Cal Lutheran, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team bounced back in the second day of the SCIAC Tournament with a big 15-10 victory over Occidental College. The Athenas' depth and aggression on offense was on display as eight different players found the back of the net. Sophomore Claire Baxter (CMC) continued her hot tournament run, co-leading the Athenas with three goals and nabbing a steal and an assist. Sophomore Kaitlyn Eng (HMC) also scored three goals with three steals while her classmate Krystal Sung (CMC) netted twice.
The Athenas got off to a hot start in the opening period as sophomore Tess van Hulsen (CMC) scored the opening goal thanks to a pass from her classmate Emma Choy (CMC). With 2:07 remaining in the period, the Tigers took one back, but Eng quickly gave CMS back the lead with a solo shot and freshman Aracelia Aldrete (CMC) scored within the final three seconds to give CMS a 3-1 lead.
The two teams exchange goals in the second period, but the Athenas managed to extend their lead after Eng scored off an assist from freshman Eliana Smithstein (SC). With 26 seconds left in the half, junior Jessica Gaffney (CMC) gave CMS an insurance goal, putting the team ahead 6-3.
The third period became a shootout as the Tigers and Athenas went back and forth with the scoring. The Tigers tried to pounce on the counterattack, but could not get a leg up on the Athenas as CMS maintained composure and always found a way to respond. With the score run up to 10-7, Aldrete managed to take advantage of the power play after Amanda Akiyama earned an exclusion with 12 seconds left. The freshman hit a clinical finish after receiving a pass from Baxter to give the Athenas an 11-7 lead.
Junior Roxy Kiessling (CMC) opened up the final period with a solo shot and Baxter followed with a power play goal with six minutes remaining. Despite the Tigers efforts to come back, the Athenas maintained their lead until the final whistle.
CMS will face off against Chapman tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. for the fifth place match.
By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant
CMS Email Updates
CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Twitter: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
CMS Athletics YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas #gostags