Athenas Dominate Lady Reds in Home Opener

CLAREMONT, Calif. - On Saturday afternoon the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo opened their 2018 home schedule with a meeting against the Carthage Lady Reds. The Athenas earned a14-8 victory in the match for their first win of the season.

The Athenas took an 8-4 lead at the half thanks to a six combined goals from Aracelia Aldrete (CMC) and Jessica Gaffney (CMC) in the opening 16 minutes. CMS continued their strong play into the second-half and cruised to the 14-8 win.

Less than five minutes into the game, CMS opened up a 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Aldrete and a tally from Christine Hu (CMC). A pair of goals from the Lady Reds ended the period gave CMS a 3-2 advantage heading into the second quarter.

The Lady Reds' run continued into the second period with a goal from Jessica Graziano tying the match at 3-3. After the two sides traded goals, CMS took control of the game with a 4-0 run to end the opening half. Gaffney highlighted the run with a pair of goals and the Athenas took an 8-4 lead into the intermission.

Carthage began the second-half with a goal just 16 seconds into the third quarter, but CMS responded with goals from Gaffney and Roxy Kiessling (CMC) to take a 10-5 lead midway through the period.

A mark from Carthage's Allie Boothe slowed the CMS run, but a tally from Margo Lusinchi (SC) with 11 seconds left in the period gave the Athenas an 11-6 lead heading to the final period.

An early goal from the Lady Reds pulled the visitors within four at 11-7, but a power play goal Celeste Cerna (HMC) put the Athenas back up by five with 4:36 remaining in the game. Late goals by Anna Fry (HMC) and Amelia Ayala (CMC) completed the CMS scoring and helped the Athenas to a 14-8 victory.

The win moves the Athenas to 1-2 on the season and CMS will next be in action on Feb. 24 when they travel to Thousand Oaks to take on Fresno Pacific (9:45 a.m.) and Azusa Pacific (2:45 p.m.).