CMS Men's Soccer Opens 2021 Season With Scoreless Draw Against UC Santa Cruz

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team opened its 2021 season with a home contest against UC Santa Cruz, and neither team could find the net over 110 minutes as the two teams opened with a scoreless draw on Wednesday evening at Pritzlaff Field.

The Stags held a narrow 11-6 edge in shots on the day, including a 3-1 edge in shots on goal. Eduardo De Anda made one save to get the shutout, a tough one in which he tipped a shot from Liam Linas over the crossbar midway though the second half to keep the game scoreless. 

Arman Salimi had three saves for UC Santa Cruz, including denying freshman midfielder Tommy Brown on the best chance for the Stags on the day, a hard shot from 15 yards out early in the second half. 

CMS held a 2-0 edge in shots in overtime, although one was a long range effort from Eric Sanchez just before the buzzer in the first extra session. Sanchez led CMS with four shots, while Harper Rubin added two.

Defensively the Stags were in solid form, allowing only six shot attempts over 110 minutes. Seniors Grant Donaldson and Samay Rahim, and junior Ben Pelz helped achor the back four, while the Stags utilized their depth as well.  Rahim was the only field player for CMS to play all 110 minutes. 

The Stags will be back in action at Pritzlaff Field on Friday night when they take on Westmont for a 7 p.m. contest.