CMC75 Moments: 2008 Women's Soccer Wins NCAA Regional Title
As part of the buildup to the 75th Anniversary celebration for Claremont McKenna College (visit CMC's 75th Anniversary Countdown Page to learn more), we are reliving many of the great moments from CMS athletic department history over the 75-day countdown from April 17 to July 1. If you were a part of this great moment and would like to add to the memories, or if you would like to submit your memories of your own favorite CMS Athletics moments, fill out the form on our main 75th Anniversary page.
Great Moments from 75 Years of Athletics
2008 Women's Soccer: CMS 4, UC Santa Cruz 0 (Regional Finals)
The 2008 CMS women's soccer team didn't know it was on the cusp of making program history when it struggled a bit down the stretch of the regular season. The Athenas went 1-4 in their last five games, including a 1-0 defeat to first-place Redlands in the finale, but still made the conference tournament as the third seed. CMS took advantage of its second life with a 3-2 win on penalty kicks in the semifinals (after a 0-0 tie) against Cal Lutheran to earn a rematch with Redlands, and a second-half goal from Laura Hagen, combined with nine saves from goalie Camila Friedman-Gerlicz earned the Athenas a SCIAC Tournament title and an NCAA bid with a 1-0 win.
CMS went back to Redlands again for the NCAA Regionals, and won another shootout after a scoreless draw with Hardin-Simmons in the NCAA Opening round, despite holding a 28-7 edge in shots. Many of the upperclasswomen on the team were part of an epic shootout two years earlier in the SCIAC Tournament, which went 18 rounds before CMS defeated Pomona-Pitzer 15-14.
The shootout with Hardin-Simmons also went past regulation, with the two teams deadlocked at 4-4, creating a sense of deja vu for the Athenas who went through the drama two years prior. This shootout, though, only went seven rounds before Hardin-Simmons missed wide, and Sarah Blavet converted to send the Athenas through to the second round. CMS then put together perhaps its best performance of the season in a 4-0 win over UC Santa Cruz to capture its fourth straight postseason shutout and win the program's first-ever regional championship. Hagen got the Athenas on the board just eight minutes in off a pass from Blavet and finished with two goals and one assist. Giselle Galanto and Nicole Sady-Kennedy also had goals.
CMS showed well at the sectionals in the Round of 16, but fell 1-0 to Carleton to end its season at 12-9-2, in what remains tied for the longest NCAA Tournament run in CMS women's soccer history (matched only by the 2019 team, which won its own shootout over Cal Lutheran). Hagen was joined on the All-West Region first team by Stefanie Chan and Galanto, while Friedman-Gerlicz and Blavet were on the second team. Ashley Green was also a second-team All-SCIAC selection, giving the Athenas six all-conference honorees total.
Stefanie Chan:
Much of that season was a blur to me, and I can't say I remember much of the details other than it was a long, hard fought draw to PK's as Hardin Simmons was a tough competitor. I do recall the moment that Sarah Blavet scored that final PK. Our team sat with bated breath at the half line as she calmly walked up, powered through her shot, and jumped up shouting in complete ecstasy. Our team rushed the field followed by the men's team in a massive celebratory dogpile. Many photos commenced thereafter to commemorate the historic victory. It was completely wonderful and was probably my favorite memory of my soccer career at CMS.
Hillary Tribbs:
Lots of memories and feels from that senior season. I was injured, so I did not play much, but it was still a remarkable season. The one thing that made it stand out was the amazing bond amongst the team as evidenced by the fact that I am still close friends with several teammates. Our senior class was full of amazing women who contributed to a record breaking season. It was an intense connection and we played for each other and our shared commitment to winning. The theme for our team overall was relentless that year, I believe. Keri was an incredible coach who guided us to and through a unique experience.
2008 Women's Soccer Roster
Head Coach: Keri Sanchez
Assistant Coaches: Robert Rodrigues, Mychal Armstrong
Michele Barnhill (Fr., M, CMC)
Sarah Blavet (Sr., M, CMC)
Rachel Bunting (Fr., F, CMC)
Carolyn Campbell (So., M, CMC)
Erin Chamberlain (Sr., D, CMC)
Stefanie Chan (So., D, CMC)
Chrysanthia Cheng-Lau (So., D/M, CMC)
Lindsey Delp (Fr., GK, Scripps)
Meredith Doyle (So., M, CMC)
Amanda Drasny (Sr., D/M, Scripps)
Camila Friedman-Gerlicz (Jr., GK, CMC)
Courtney Funk (Jr., D, Scripps)
Giselle Galanto (Jr., F, CMC)
Ashley Green (Sr., M, CMC)
Laura Hagen (So., F, CMC)
Erica Jones (Jr., GK, Scripps)
Erica Libby (Fr., GK, CMC)
Heather Marra (Sr., F, CMC)
Arlyn Madsen-Bond (So., F, Scripps)
Kristen McAfee (Fr., M, HMC)
Alana McWhorter (Jr., D, Scripps)
Julia Nishioka (Fr., M, CMC)
Rebecca Pedroza (Sr., M, CMC)
Brittany Pineros (So., M, CMC)
Kelsey Rose (Jr., D/M, CMC)
Nicole Sady-Kennedy (Jr., M, CMC)
Hillary Tribbs (Sr., D, CMC)
Brittney Watson (Sr., M, CMC)