Athenas Advance To SCIAC Tournament Final

CMS advanced to the final of the SCIAC Tournament via penalty kick shootout after their semifinal with Cal Lutheran ended in a 0-0 tie after two overtimes.  The Athenas will play Redlands on Saturday at 5:00 in a rematch of the regular season finale.

The Athenas dominated the run of play during the game outshooting the Regals 16-5 during regulation and 7-3 in the two 10-minute sudden victory overtimes.  They also had eight corners to Cal Lutheran's one.  CMS forced the Cal Lutheran keeper to make 10 saves on their 23 shots while Athena keeper Camila Friedman-Gerlicz (JR, Santa Fe, NM) stopped six shots.  Laura Hagen (SO, Bellevue, WA) had the team's best chance of scoring, but her shot rifled off the post.

After the overtime periods, the teams lined up for a best of five shootout.  CMS went first and Hagen missed her attempt just wide.  Cal Lutheran's first shooter also shot wide.  Nicole Sady-Kennedy (JR, Ladera Ranch) and Giselle Galanto (JR, Duarte) each converted their attempts as did their Regal counterparts.  Courtney Funk (JR, Sutter Creek [pictured]) converted what proved to be the try which advanced the Athenas to the final.  Friedman-Gerlicz saved Cal Lutheran's fourth attempt.  Cal Lu's keeper saved Sarah Blavet's (SR, Austin, TX) try, but Cal Lutheran's final attempt went wide and the Athenas won the shootout 3-2.

CMS improved to 10-8-1 while Cal Lutheran ended the season 10-7-4.