CMS Women's Soccer Earns Top-25 Ranking in DIII Preseason Poll

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team, which reached the Round of 16 at the last NCAA Division III Tournament in 2019, earned a spot in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Preseason Poll, holding down the No. 22 position in the first ranking of the 2021 season.

CMS finished the 2019 season with an 11-5-4 record, winning an NCAA Regional for only the second time in program history by defeating host Cal Lutheran on penalty kicks after playing to a 0-0 tie. The Athenas then took WashU into overtime in the Round of 16, before falling 2-1 to end their season. 

The Athenas did not compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and enter the 2021 season with a largely new roster, with many of the starters on the 2019 team graduating over the last two years. Defensively, CMS will have three of its four starters from the 2019, led by All-Region selection Gracyn Buenconsejo at center back, as well as outside backs Ava Sherry and Samantha Ree. Senior goalie Athena Manthouli split time between the pipes in 2019 as well, and will be back for her senior season. 
 
Most of the goal scorers from 2019 have graduated, but CMS has plenty of players ready to step into the void as they return to action for the first time in two years. Senior midfielder Nicole Oberlag (three goals, two assists) is the top scorer remaining, while junior midfielder Mia Duranczyk (three goals, one assist) was also one of the five players in 2019 to score at least three goals. Junior forward Vida Hasson (two goals, one asssist) is the top returning striker. 

CMS will open its season on Wednesday, Sept. 1 with an exhibition game against the College of the Desert, and then face Willamette in its official opener on Friday, Sept. 3 at Cal Lutheran. 

To view the complete Division III preseason poll, head to the following link:

United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll