Helfrich's Goal Gives CMS Women's Soccer 1-0 Win at UC Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Kaitlyn Helfrich scored just 2:34 into the second half for the game's only goal as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer team defeated UC Santa Cruz 1-0 on the road on Saturday morning.

With the win, CMS sees its record move to 3-0 on the season, after picking up wins over Willamette (3-1) and Whittier (3-0) in its previous two contests. The Banana Slugs fall to 1-2-1 with the loss. 

The game was evenly contested throughout, as UC Santa Cruz held a 9-8 edge in shots, with the teams each taking five in the first half. The first shot of the second half, though, was the one that proved to be decisive, with Helfrich finding the net off a pass from Ava Sherry 2:34 into the second stanza. 

Goalkeeper Athena Manthouli was called upon to make a couple saves after the goal to keep the Athenas in front, finishing with four on the day, two in each half, to get the shutout. The last 30 minutes, though, settled into an uneventful finish with few scoring chances, as the Athenas skillfully preserved their one-goal lead. 

CMS will be back in action on Wednesday when it begins SCIAC play with a road game at Redlands. The Athenas will also meet UC Santa Cruz a second time later in the year, when the Banana Slugs visit for a noon contest on Oct. 23.