McKenna, Salaz Sweep SCIAC Weekly Awards for CMS Women's Water Polo

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Cooper McKenna earned the SCIAC Women's Water Polo Offensive Player of the Week award, and Jessica Salaz captured the Defensive Player of the Week honor for matches through Sunday, April 3, the league office announced today.

McKenna had a hat trick in a low-scoring win as CMS defeated Cal Lutheran 5-4 in a big battle for second place in the SCIAC to complete a season sweep. Her goal in the fourth quarter after Cal Lutheran cut the lead to 4-3 held up as the difference, as the Athenas defeated the Regals by one goal for the second time (the first was 8-7 on a McKenna goal with one second left).

Salaz, meanwhile, played all 32 minutes and allowed only four goals in the win over the Regals. Salaz finished the game with eight saves as the Athenas won their fourth one-goal game in SCIAC this season, and also had the win in a 16-4 victory over Caltech earlier in the week, when she played the first quarter and allowed just one goal. 

CMS has now had a total of seven award winners from six different players this season. Christina Kulick has earned the Offensive Player of the Week twice, and Mia Adsen captured it once. Dara Schoolcraft and Maddy Menard have also earned the Defensive Player of the Week award this season. 

CMS will be back in action when it travels to Occidental on Wednesday, before returning home on Wednesday, April 13 for a big matchup with Pomona-Pitzer, which will give the Athenas a chance to tie for first place in the league standings if they pick up a win at Occidental.