Athenas Cap Comeback Over Slugs With Overtime Victory

In their final preseason performance, the Athenas pulled out a clutch 3-2 overtime victory over UC Santa Cruz.  CMS improved to 2-3 overall while the Banana Slugs fell to 2-2-1.  

The Athenas did not respond well early on to Santa Cruz's quick rhythm and forward Annick Lamb scored on a break away about a quarter into the game.  Though the Athenas kept fighting, after a few missed shots and some bad touches, the Athenas fell 2-0 on a nice pass from the backfield and finish from Slugs forward Sara Damert.  The Slugs' shutout would be short-lived, however, as the Athenas scored with just a few minutes to go in the first half.  With a hard pass back from forward Heather Marra (JR, Phoenix, AZ), Giselle Gallanto (SO, Duarte, CA) had a nice touch and finish to put the Athenas on the board at halftime.

The mood and pace heightened in the second half, and it became more apparent that the Athenas were there to play.  After a half hour of fierce battles, the Athenas found their opprtunity.  With thirteen minutes to go in the game, Brittany Watson (JR, Sammamish, WA) sent a soaring corner kick over the heads of the Slug defenders and Giselle Gallanto settled it with her shoulder and scored her second goal of the game.  Despite a few more chances on both ends, regulation time ended in a tie.

In the first of sudden victory overtime the Athenas used their fitness to overpower Santa Cruz.  After a couple of missed opportunities, the Athenas took control.  Laura Hagen (FR, Seattle, WA) received a cross from midfield in the left corner, dribbled to the endline and slipped the ball in behind the defenders.  Rebecca Pedroza (JR, Las Vegas, NV) rocketed it into the back of the net for the win.

The Athenas start SCIAC play at Whittier on Wednesday at 7 pm.