CMS Women's Water Polo Dominates Occidental to Earn Opening Day Split

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Dara Schoolcraft had her first career hat trick and three Athena goalies combined to allow only two goals as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team took an 18-2 win over Occidental to earn an opening-day split at USC.

CMS dropped its season opener to the top-ranked Trojans 31-4, as it begins the new year with a 1-1 record. Mia Adsen, Olivia Cairns, Cooper McKenna and Emma Brezoczky scored goals for the Athenas against a powerhouse USC program. 

In the nightcap, CMS led Occidental 3-1 after the first quarter, but then outscored the Tigers 10-0 in the second quarter to take a 13-1 lead into the break. In addition to Schoolcraft's three goals, Elise Power, Cairns, McKenna, Christina Kulick and Emily McElroy each added two. Jessi Beyer, Adsen, Ka'imi Duncklee, Isabel Dhillon and Brezoczky also had goals as 11 different CMS players found the net. 

In goal, Jessica Salaz had four saves as the starter, Ruth Efe added four, and Maribella Munoz-Jimenez added four as well in her first collegiate game in goal. 

CMS returns to action in three weeks for the Bulldog Invitational, which will be held on Feb. 19.