Women’s water polo start season 2-0

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team got off to a strong start to the season, defeating SCIAC rivals Chapman and Occidental on Saturday at the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center. The Athenas grinded through a 12-9 victory over Chapman in the afternoon, followed by a lopsided 10-2 win over Occidental.

Sophomore Tess van Hulsen (CMC) scored the first goal of the season less than two minutes into the first period against the Panthers and led the team in scoring with three. The Athenas and Panthers struggled to build a significant lead during the first two periods, trying to find openings in each other's defense. CMS finally broke out with six goals in the third period, including two from juniors Claire Baxter (CMC) and Jessica Gaffney (CMC).

Holding onto a 10-7 lead into the final period, the Athenas did not let the Panthers back in the game as senior Roxy Kiessling (CMC) and freshman Aracelia Aldrete (CMC) scored their first goals to close it out.

The Athenas got off to a slow start against the Tigers, trailing 1-0 until the final three minutes of the opening period. Gaffney broke the drought with a goal and senior Ellen Perfect (CMC) doubled the lead with a minute and half left in the period. After the Tigers scored with 2:13 remaining in the second period, the Athenas' defense kept its opponents shut out for the remainder of the game. Baxter scored twice in the third period as the Athenas went on a 6-0 run to put the game out of reach.

CMS will head to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to compete in the Bison Invite at Bucknell University on Saturday, Feb. 11. The Athenas will open up against Saint Francis (PA) at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and then take on Princeton at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 12, CMS will face Mercyhurst at 8 a.m. followed by a match against Wagner at 10:30 a.m.

Box Score (Chapman)

Box Score (Oxy)

By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant

CMS Email Updates
CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Twitter: AthleticsCMS
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
CMS Athletics YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas    #gostags