For the third consecutive time, the Pomona-Pitzer women's soccer team managed to shut down rival CMS. The two teams not only play across the street from each other, but have also occupied the same place in the SCIAC rankings. Before the game on Saturday, both teams held records of 3-3. The win decided who would advance to third place, behind Cal Lutheran and Redlands.

Despite the obvious tension between two rivals competing for the same standing, the game began slowly. It was not until the 21st minute that Rebecca Hummel '03 scored off a free kick. Hummel's amazing goal placed the momentum in the Sagehens' hands, and in less than five minutes, Lauren Salvail '03 scored an unassisted second goal. Though they did not manage to put together another goal, the Sagehens did maintain their momentum throughout the game.

The teams played on both sides of the field with relative frequency. Indeed, both teams had the cohesion, passing, and energy to create effective attacks and counterattacks. The difference lay in Pomona-Pitzer's defense, which showed a powerful maturity during the game on Saturday. Previously, the team lacked consistency on their side of the field, often giving up the ball or hesitating a moment before clearing it. These small problems in the backfield compounded to create dangerous situations, which opponents often exploited to score. Against CMS the Sagehens displayed a vivacity and tenacity hereto unseen in the team's defense.

The women seemed to win all the headers and all the loose balls. Furthermore, the team was very efficient in handling wild balls in front of the cage. Several times the Athena offense mounted an effective attack, but could not find the way to follow through and score. Pomona-Pitzer's fullbacks were too quick to the ball to allow anything but ill-prepared and distant attempts.

What the Athenas did manage to shoot, sophomore Ashley Thompson's talented hands pulled down. Overall, Thompson had five saves. Always a strong keeper, she now flourishes in the cage. Under Coach Tiffany Ebert's experienced tutelage, Thompson has tightened her goal keeping and repeatedly confounded the opposition's attack. Although she does show a few signs of inexperience (her occasional hesitation to cover the ball and use her body), these minor flaws in her game are already disappearing, and will undoubtedly vanish altogether as the season progresses.

The biggest threat to the Sagehens' lead was a penalty kick with about five minutes to play. Though the team was up by two goals so late in the second half, a goal then could have galvanized the Athena offense, and possibly could have led to a tie. Fortunately, the player who took the kick missed, stymieing CMS' attempts at a late comeback.

The free kick was awarded based on a hard tackle in the box by Sara Palmer '03. The penalty should not reflect poorly on Palmer, who repeatedly evinces her strength and energy as a defender. She plays the blistering close defense that makes the other team regret having stepped up to the Sagehens, and keeps Pomona-Pitzer dominant on the field.

Pomona-Pitzer's victory was not without its disappointments. Notably missing from the field were Sarah Thalmann '01 and Susan Houge '02. Thalmann was out due to injury and will hopefully be able to walk back on the field later in the season. Houge, on the other hand, may be out for the season due to illness. Such a loss would be devastating to the team, which would have to continue without one of its stronger and more dominant strikers.

The Sagehens must cast a wary eye towards their next game against Redlands this Wednesday. Redlands nurtures a two-point lead over Pomona-Pitzer in the rankings. If the Sagehens win, they would tie for second place, just behind undefeated Cal Lutheran. Winning now would also propel the women two games beyond their .500 record of last year. After Redlands, the women head up to Northern California on a road trip to keep in practice over fall break.