Athenas Drop SCIAC Contest to Sagehens

 CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team dropped their SCIAC contest on Wednesday night, falling 11-5 to rival Pomona-Pitzer. With the loss, CMS sits at 6-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Five different Athenas scored in the game and Jessica Gaffney (CMC) dished out two assists. Aracelia Aldrete (CMC) had a goal and an assist.

Pomona-Pitzer controlled the tempo in the first half, holding CMS to just one goal in the first two quarters. Both teams were held off the board until the Sagehens struck for the game's first goal with 3:37 remaining in the opening period. The Athenas returned the favor 30 seconds later when Emma Choy (CMC) found Aldrete who put the ball in the back of the net, evening the game at one apiece.

Pomona-Pitzer responded quickly, regaining the lead 15 seconds after. The Sagehens scored one more before the close of the quarter to take a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.

The Sagehens chipped in three more goals in the second period and held CMS scoreless, pushing their advantage to 6-1 at the end of the half.

A Claire Baxter (CMC) goal gave the Athenas some momentum with 3:27 remaining in the third period. Gaffney followed up with one of her own a minute later, cutting the deficit to 6-3.

Just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, Jocelyn Castro sparked a three-goal run for the Sagehens. Trailing 9-3, Anna Fry (HMC) found the back of the goal with 1:25 left in the game and Amelia Ayala (CMC) did the same with 10 seconds remaining, but the Athenas were unable to catch up to the Sagehens, dropping the match 11-5.

CMS continues SCIAC play on Saturday when they take on La Verne. The contest is slated for 11 a.m. in Axelrood Pool.