Hard-fought Battle With Regals Ends in Overtime Draw

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team came close to edging out the Cal Lutheran Regals in overtime, but in the end the Athenas had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Kali Youngdahl got Cal Lutheran on board with a header off a corner kick in the 67th minute. The Athenas fought back as Sarah Malott (CMC) notched the equalizer in the 74th minute thanks to a pass from Sarah Tocher (CMC). The two sides had quality chances to win the game after the regulation period, but were held scoreless until the final whistle.

The Athenas and Regals looked evenly matched on the offensive end, as the Regals had narrow a 19-17 shot advantage. Malott led the Athenas with four shots, including two on goal, while Rhiann Holman (CMC) saw all of her three shot attempts on target. Claire Hamson (CMC) faced six shots and recorded five saves while her opposite Alysa Frazier faced seven shots and notched six saves.

The first half started off slow for both sides as the Athenas could not find their rhythm on the attacking end. However, Jacey Coniff (HMC) and Wren Osler (CMC) led the defense to contain the Regals' offense. Kira Favakeh (CMC) saw an opportunity to score off a corner from Gabrielle Clouse (CMC) in the 30th minute, but her shot came off soft and was easily saved. Later in the 41st minute, Osler saw the ball roll to her feet outside the box and she cracked one from distance, but the shot rolled just right of the net.

Cal Lutheran started to gain some ground in the second half, finding more opportunities to enter the Athenas' box. After pressing with several quality shot attempts, the Regals finally got on board through a corner attempt as Kali Youngdahl connected with Trinity Martinez's cross with a header to give Cal Lutheran a 1-0 lead.

CMS responded back in the 74th minute when Sarah Tocher took a throw-in off her chest and got the ball to roll over to Malott's feet. Malott's shot sailed over the keeper's hands and into the net to tie game. 

Later in the 87th minute, Favakeh broke free on a one-on-one and dribbled into the box at full speed, but her attempt sailed high over the net. Rhiann Holman (CMC) tried for goal a minute later, but her attempt was well-saved.

The Athenas looked to carry their momentum into the first overtime, pressing aggressively into the Regals' box in search of the game-winner, but came up short on their attempts. Both teams ran out of gas in the second overtime, ending the game on a draw. 

With the draw, CMS is now 1-4-1 overall and 0-2-1 in conference play this season. The Athenas will remain home this Saturday as they host Chapman University at 7:00 p.m. 

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