CMS Men's Soccer Tripped Up by Pomona-Pitzer to Snap Eight-Game Unbeaten Streak

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Rafael Otero converted a first-half penalty kick for his eighth goal of the season, but Pomona-Pitzer was able to convert twice from the spot and capture a 3-1 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday night to spoil the regular season home final for the Stags at Pritzlaff Field.

The loss snaps an eight-game unbeaten streak for CMS, which falls to 8-3-4 overall and 5-3-3 in the SCIAC, although the Stags still have a postseason bid secured, standing four points clear of fifth place with one game to play. Pomona-Pitzer improves to 4-6-5 overall and 3-4-4 in the SCIAC with the win. 

Keyon Namdar opened the scoring for Pomona-Pitzer in the 19th minute, and Mattin Khoshzaban made it 2-0 when he converted on a penalty kick after Stags goalie Kevin Box was whistled for a foul in the penalty area. 

CMS got one back when the Sagehens committed a foul in the box in the 42nd minute, and Otero was able to finish to cut it to 2-1 at the break.

The Stags nearly equalized on three occasions in the second half, as James Gomez hit the crossbar from in close, and Andrew McSlarrow had a shot cleared off the line by a Pomona-Pitzer defender. Otero then blistered an 18-yard shot that resulted in a spectacular save from Will Brooks to give the Sagehens up by one. 

In the 88th minute, Pomona-Pitzer was able to earn a second penalty kick and Aidan MacLennan converted to seal the win. 

CMS held a 17-12 edge in shots and a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks on the day. Box finished with five saves for CMS and Brooks had six for the Sagehens. 

The Stags close out the regular season with a road game at Caltech on Saturday, and will then see if they open SCIAC Tournament play on Wednesday at either Occidental or Redlands.