Athenas strike early, defeat Panthers 2-1

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team beat Chapman by a final score of 2-1 Saturday night, wasting no time in finding the back of the net.

Immediately off the opening kick, CMS controlled the ball deep in the attacking third. Remi Edwards jumped on a high pass and drove to the goal, battling a Chapman defender. As the goalkeeper came out to challenge, Edwards chipped it to a sprinting Laynee Laube on the right side who put a low ball past the diving goalkeeper for a 1-0 CMS lead at the 26 second mark.

Chapman responded 30 seconds later with a strong chance off a corner. Kelly McConnell made her best save of the match, jumping to deflect a one-time attempt overtop of the goal to keep the Panthers off the board early.

In the 28^th minute, CMS would take advantage of a free kick off a foul just outside the penalty box. Darrah Shields sent a perfectly-placed ball into the far corner of the cage netting what would turn out to be the game-winner for the Athenas.

In the second half, the Panthers best chance to tie the game would come off a free kick in the 65^th minute. Molly Simpson was set up roughly 25 yards out and directed a feed toward the goal that came within inches of banking in off the top crossbar, but instead sailed just over top.

The Athenas held off the Panthers the rest of the way, as second half goalkeeper Morgan McCoy made two saves in the final ten minutes of play to preserve the 2-1 victory.

Junior midfielder/forward Laynee Laube had a strong game for CMS, tallying her first goal of the season and the first of her Athena career. Laube recorded a team-high 5 shots throughout the contest, 4 of which were on target.

CMS improves its record to 4-2-1 at home and 4-4-3 overall. The Athenas have gone .500 in the SCIAC conference so far this season and will look to improve upon that mark when they take on Whitter at home on Oct. 7.

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

Sign up for CMS Email Updates
Become a fan of CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
Follow CMS Athletics on Twitter: @AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
Watch CMS Athletics videos on YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas    #gostags