CLAREMONT, Calif. - The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team looked poised to pull off a huge road victory that could have propelled them into the playoffs. They held the 1-0 lead with five minutes to play and couldn't hold on as Claremont-M-S scored two goals 27 seconds apart that would steal the win away from UR.
Redlands moves to 6-8, 5-6 SCIAC and has now been eliminated from Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) playoff contention.
Tristen Sherley (Novato, CA) gave the Bulldogs an early lead in the 14th minute after stealing a short CMS clearance and finishing from on top of the box. In the 29th minute, UR looked like they would add another with first year Sami Salinas (Foothill Ranch, CA) connecting on a shot that found the crossbar. Eva Vlassopoulos (Portland, OR) then came down two minutes later and got off another shot, this time it would be stopped by CMS keeper Athena Manthouli.
This 1-0 lead remained for the Bulldogs, despite seeing a barrage of shots from CMS across the second half. Salinas continued to provide the offense for the Maroon and Grey by adding two shots on frame, both being turned away by Manthouli. Then, in the 85th minute, there was a lapse in the backline, with the Athenas finding an opportunity and converting. Kaitlyn Helfrich sent in a cross through traffic, leading to the ball being tipped away by Redlands keeper Courtney Stewart (San Jose, CA). Ava Schmitt was there to win the loose ball and connected on a vacated net.
But CMS wasn't done as they came down 27 seconds later for the eventual game-winner. Hannah Dearman-So won a loose ball off a Redlands clearance and blasted a low line drive into the right side of the net at the 85:47 mark, giving Claremont-M-S the come-from-behind victory.
Salinas led the offense with four shots, three on goal. Vlassopoulos finished with four shots and Sherley with two.
Claremont-M-S outshot Redlands, 17-13 and held the advantage on corner kicks, 8-6.
Redlands has their final game of the regular season this Friday, October 29, against Caltech at 2:00 pm on the road. This game is the make-up of the two previous contests being postponed.