Athenas Continue Winning Streak
In yet another game determined by a one-goal difference, the CMS Athenas pulled out a 2-1 victory against La Sierra yesterday in Riverside. This was the team's eighth straight win, seven of which have been by one goal. Both teams fought through difficult conditions of a glaring evening sun and strong winds. The win propelled the CMS Athenas to a 9-3 overall record.
La Sierra proved they wanted to play within the first few minutes of the game. They came out fast and aggressive, going hard into every tackle. Unable to match this tenacity at first, the CMS Athenas fought hard to gain composure. Deep into the first half, Ashley Green (JR, Seattle, WA [pictured]) put one into the back of the net with a beautiful shot outside of the eighteen-yard line.
The second half certainly kept everyone on the sidelines in anticipation. CMS experienced a few controversial calls, and added pressure from La Sierra. Nearly twenty minutes in, Arlyn Madsen-Bond (FR, Cambridge, MA) finished a great ball that the La Sierra keeper had bobbled. The goal was called back yet did not stop Madsen-Bond. Soon after, she connected with midfielder Green who then set Madsen-Bond up with a beautiful ball that she drove low into the mouth of the goal, giving CMS a 2-0 lead. However, the game was not won here. With fifteen minutes left in the game, La Sierra took several shots on goal, desperate to come back from behind. Athenas keeper, Camila Friedman-Gerlicz (SO, Santa Fe, NM), came up with some great saves to keep her team in the game. However, after deflecting a shot on goal, La Sierra picked off the rebound to score their first goal. With the help of Friedman-Gerlicz, the Athenas held their lead to win the game.
The Athenas will host Whittier in their next game on Saturday the 6th at 11:00.
