Natalie Stearns Captures SCIAC Defensive Player of the Week Distinction for Athenas Water Polo

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Sophomore goalie Natalie Stearns of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's water polo team earned the SCIAC Defensive Player of the Week award for events through Sunday, March 3, the conference office announced today.

Stearns helped CMS to a 3-1 record at the Claremont Convergence in a strong performance where the team's only loss came against No. 4 USC. The Athenas also defeated CSU Fullerton 12-10, Santa Clara 11-4 and CSU Monterey Bay 21-8 over the two-day tournament. 

Stearns played the second halves of games while splitting time in goal with Mason Spencer, and had a couple of key moments in the Fullerton win, making two late saves with the score tied 10-10 before CMS could break the tie with less than two minutes to play. She also had six saves and allowed only two goals in the Santa Clara win, as the Athenas led just 3-2 at the half but were able to pull away over the second 16 minutes. 

CMS will be back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Pomona-Pitzer at 7 p.m. in a big rivalry match for the SCIAC opener. The two teams met in the USA Water Polo Division III national championship match last spring, which went overtime before the Sagehens prevailed by one goal.