On Friday, Sept. 13, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) women’s soccer team opened up their weekend with a 5-0 shutout at home against St. Catherine University.
Returning from a trip to Washington that yielded a win and a draw against the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran respectively, the Athenas were on the attack.
Anchored by their back four, they were able to continue their unbeaten streak as the SCIAC season opener approaches. CMS marked the scoreboard just five minutes into the first half as midfielder Cate Lewison HM ’26 weaved through a crowd of defenders and tapped in a cross from Kaitlyn Helfrich CM ’25.
The Athenas tacked on another goal about ten minutes later. Forward Ava Schmitt CM ’25 decisively buried a backside cross from fullback Ava Allen CM ’27, who fought through defenders to play the ball to Schmitt.
With the early goals helping to put CMS ahead, center-back Annie McKinley CM ’25 credited the defense for ensuring that the Wildcats couldn’t catch up.
“The back four has been really solid,” she said. “We’ve been able to get a shutout the last two games.”
While Allen’s effort proved to be the final score of the half, the Athenas came close on multiple occasions; a shot from Jordan Yates CM ’27 ricocheted off the left post and multiple crosses were intercepted in the box by St. Catherine’s defenders.
Still fiery despite their dominant 2-0 lead, the Athenas entered the second half in top form. Immediately after halftime, Riley Zitar CM ’26 delivered a free-kick into the six-yard box, finding Tori Holden CM ’25 who slotted it into the back of the net.
Working as a cohesive unit, CMS was able to quickly seal up passing lanes and win challenges as St. Catherine attempted to respond. When chances did arrive for the Wildcats, Athena’s goalkeeper Andra Marinescu CM ’27 was there, scooping up multiple balls en route to posting her first clean-sheet of the season.
The action continued for the Athenas when Yates, determined after her near-miss from the first half, dribbled her way into a one-on-one against the keeper, finishing with a chip placed below the crossbar. For Yates, this goal was extra meaningful.
“This is my first college goal after being injured for the past year and a half, so I think the time was coming for something to happen,” she said. “I wasn’t going to be happy with myself if I didn’t score, so getting that goal really made my day.”
However, the Athenas still weren’t done. The last score of the day came on a resounding 40-yard free-kick from midfielder Frankie Fragola CM ’27 a mere three minutes later. Like Yates, this goal was also the first of her college career.
With the 5-0 win under the Athena’s belt, McKinley spoke on the team’s mentality moving forward.
“I think the goal is always a SCIAC championship,” she said. “I would say we’re taking it game by game right now. The next game is always the most important game.”
CMS head coach David Nolan was extremely pleased with the team’s performance, expressing confidence in their upcoming season.
“It’s all coming together,” he said. “[This team] hasn’t even hit the ceiling yet.”
Since then, the Athena’s good form has faltered, drawing 1-1 to UC Santa Cruz on Sept. 14 and falling 1-1 to California Lutheran University on Sept. 18 to bring their overall record to 2-1-3.
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