Determination gives Athenas boost in win over VMI
CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team never trailed Virginia Military Institute but the nail-biter of a game saw the score tied four times. Ultimately, the Athenas came away with the 13-11 victory, scoring two goals in the final minute and a half.
On back-to-back possessions by the Keydets late in the game, sophomores Jessica Gaffney (CMC) and then Roxy Kiessling (CMC) nabbed steals that resulted in goals by Kiessling and Christine Hu (CMC) to give CMS the two-goal victory.
In the fourth quarter alone there were nine goals scored: five by CMS, and four by VMI. Freshman Kaitlyn Eng (CMC) got the Athenas started with a goal to put CMS up 9-7. Then, junior Ellen Perfect (CMC) added her second goal before VMI scored on two consecutive possessions, knotting the game at 10-10. Kiessling and VMI's Sarah Dolitsky traded goals before the CMS defense gave the Athenas two bonus chances to score.
On the game, Eng was 3-for-3 shooting and contributed two steals. Gaffney led CMS with four goals, three of which were in the second quarter. Kiessling had a game-high of five steals.
In goal, sophomore Mariah Mastrodimos (SCR) had five crucial saves, holding last year's leading scorer for the Keydets, Shelby Barkley, scoreless.
With the win, CMS (3-14) snapped an eight-game losing streak and are now gearing up for the remainder of its SCIAC schedule. The last non-conference opponent the Athenas face is Brown (5-12) at home on March 28 at 7:30 p.m.
By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director
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