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Christine Hu (CMC) was one of the seniors celebrated before the game. (photo credit: Hannah Graves)
Christine Hu (CMC) was one of the seniors celebrated before the game. (photo credit: Hannah Graves)
Posted: Apr 14, 2018

Athenas Take Down Redlands on Senior Day

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CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team celebrated their seniors on Saturday prior to their final home game of the season. Following the festivities, the Athenas used a big four-goal first quarter to push them past the visiting Redlands Bulldogs in a 10-7 victory. Jessica Gaffney (CMC) led the Athenas offensively with three goals and fellow senior Roxy Kiessling (CMC) had two.

CMS got off to a hot start, following up a Redlands goal with the next four. Anna Fry (HMC) got the party started a minute and a half in to even the contest at 1-1. Less than a minute later, Fry dished an assist to Gaffney who found the back of the net for her first goal of the game, giving the Athenas a 2-1 advantage. Within the next minute, Kiessling utilized a pass from Kaitlyn Eng (HMC) to push the lead further. One final goal in the opening period from Gaffney at the 3:38 mark sent CMS into the second with a 4-2 lead.

The Bulldogs and Athenas played an even second period, each striking for two. Gaffney found the net first, less than two minutes in to give CMS a 5-2 advantage. Claire Baxter (CMC) answered a Redlands goal with one of her own to put the Athenas up by three with 1:23 to play in the half before the Bulldogs chipped in their fourth to cut the CMS lead to 6-4 at halftime.

The second half started as a defensive battle with both teams being held off the board until Aracelia Aldrete (CMC) found a hole at the 2:14 mark. The two teams traded goals in the last minute with Amelia Ayala (CMC) and Haley Gibbs (SC) both scoring for CMS. At the close of the third period, the Athenas held a 9-6 lead.

The final frame saw much tighter defense on both sides with each team only scoring once in the quarter. Redlands scored first, finding a hole in the defense with 3:58 to play. Kiessling responded with her second of the game to put CMS ahead 10-7 and seal the win.

As mentioned, seniors Gaffney and Kiessling both had multi-goal games. Chandlyr Denaro (CMC) made four saves in goal for the Athenas

CMS improves to 17-9 overall and 10-3 in SCIAC play. They conclude the regular season next Saturday, Apr. 21, when they travel to Cal Lutheran for an 11 a.m. contest.