Stags Fall 1-0 To Sagehens In Closing Seconds

The CMS Stags were visited by cross-street rivals Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens at Pritzlaff Field on Wednesday night in front of a raucous CMS crowd and battled hard throughout the match, only to be beaten 1-0 with three seconds remaining in regulation time.

    In a very physical match, the aggressiveness and heart of each team was shown as CMS committed 17 fouls and P-P registered 21.  Both teams had 12 shot attempts with CMS goalkeeper Ryan Fahey (JR, Bellevue, WA) having a stellar showing, forced to make four high quality saves, including one off of a deflection and others from close-range.  The Stags had numerous chances to gain the lead early on in the first half but could not seem to put a shot-on-target.  Just after halftime, Stefan Gonzalez (JR, San Gabriel) found himself with only the keeper to beat after an Alex Lichtenberg (FR, Beverly Hills) through-ball diced the Sagehen defense, but Gonzalez put the ball just wide of the post.  In the 76th minute, Andrew Jacobsen of P-P received his second yellow card of the match and was ejected from the game, giving CMS an extra boost.  However, with just 30 seconds remaining in the match, CMS committed a foul about 35 yards from their goal, and 10-man P-P quickly set up the ball and launched it dangerously into the box.  The ball was deflected out to the foot of Sagehen Andrew Stamm who found the side netting with just three seconds remaining in the game.

    Although a frustrating loss for the Stags, they took a lot away from the game and are now looking to gain three points as they play at La Verne University at 11:00 AM on Saturday.