CMS Men's Soccer Plays to Second Straight Scoreless Draw

SALEM, Ore. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team played to its second 0-0 tie of the week as it played 90 minutes of scoreless soccer in a road game at Willamette on Friday night.

With the tie, CMS moves to 0-1-3 on the year, with the one defeat coming to No. 13 Trinity last weekend. Willamette now stands at 1-0-1 after the draw. 

On Monday, CMS dominated Southwestern, outshooting the Pirates 25-5, but had to settle for a 0-0 tie. This time, the game was played more evenly, with CMS holding a narrow 11-9 edge in shots, but neither team could score as Kevin Box had six saves for the Stags in goal.

The Stags had one of their best chances early in the second half off a quick turnover, but Rafael Otero's shot from just outside the box clanged off the crossbar, bounced down and stayed out of the net in the 50th minute. In the 65th minute, CMS had another dangerous chance when Otero took a bending free kick that found Justin Blachman lurking in the goalmouth in front of the far post, but Blachman couldn't quite get his foot around it to redirect it on frame.  

Box had his best save of the night in the 74th minute, diving at full extension to his left to tip a ball wide of the post and out for a corner kick, denying Sean Kim the tiebreaking goal. 

Troy Lehenbauer led CMS with three shot attempts, while Blachman and Liam O'Reilly each had two. Patrick Watkins and Shaan Malik had first half shots on frame that were saved. Grant Donaldson and Harrison Weier anchored the defense from their center back positions, with Ben Pelz, Jake Allmon, Chase Keir and Salvador Leon also contributing to the shutout on the back four.  

CMS will conclude its Oregon road trip, and its non-conference schedule, when it faces Pacific Lutheran on Sunday at Willamette.