Samantha Ree - Women's Soccer

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Sophomore Samantha Ree played a key role in CMS women's soccer advancing to the Round of 16, playing all 110 minutes on the Athena defensive back four to help CMS to the shutout in a 0-0 tie and then making the go-ahead penalty kick in the shootout that sent the Athenas through to next weekend's sectionals.

Ree saw limited action as a first-year last season, and began this year coming off the bench in the first six games, but after injuries to starting outside backs Katrina Ostrom and Ava Sherry, Ree was called on to be a starter down the stretch. Her efforts have kept the CMS defense playing at a high level (the Athenas have not given up more than one goal in any game with her on the back four), and culminated in a big performance in the NCAA Regionals. 

After playing back-to-back days (76 minutes against Emory, and all 110 against Cal Lutheran), Ree was the third penalty-kick taker for CMS and stepped to the line with the score even at 1-1 in the shootout. She calmly put her shot away, and after the Regals hit the post to give the Athenas a 2-1 lead after three rounds, CMS went on to make the next two and advance to the Round of 16. 

The two wins enable CMS to match its deepest-ever NCAA Tournament run, equaling the two wins that the 2008 team had on its way to the sectionals. The Athenas can make their deepest-ever run if they can defeat No. 3 Washington University on the road on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. (Pacific time), which would result in a matchup with either Chicago or Pomona-Pitzer in the quarterfinal round on Sunday.