CMS Men's Soccer Falls in Overtime to Westmont

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team played its second straight 0-0 game in regulation, but this time it fell on the short end of a golden goal in overtime as Westmont left Claremont with a 1-0 win over Stags on Friday evening at Pritzlaff Field.

The loss drops CMS to 0-1-1 on the year after it opened with a 0-0 tie against UC Santa Cruz on Wednesday, but the defeat to the NAIA Warriors won't have any impact on the Stags NCAA Tournament hopes down the line. 

Samuel Toscano scored the only goal of the game 2:47 in the overtime session on a counter attack. Westmont had numbers in support and Toscano was able to find space at the top of the 18-yard box, where he sent a line drive into the left side of the net. 

The goal spoiled a great effort from sophomore goalie Kevin Box, who had nine saves on the day, including six in the second half, stopping three strong scoring chances from the Warriors. 

CMS had its best chance off a free kick midway through the second half, when sophomore midfielder Troy Lehenbauer cracked a shot from 25 yards out that looked destined for the goal, but it clanged off the crossbar. Harper Rubin also had a strong game creating chances in the offensive third and finished with a team-high three shots. 

"Credit to Westmont," said Head Coach Ryan Fahey. "They are a really good team and I thought tonight was a really good competition. Even though losses are always hard, I am really proud of our student-athletes.  I know tonight was a great step forward. The team has shown great effort and attitude since the start of pre-season, and we continue to get better every day."

CMS will be back in action in one week when it returns to NCAA Division III action with a home game against Oglethrope next Friday at 7 p.m.