CLAREMONT, Calif. -
Collin Ross scored just under three minutes into the second half for the game's only goal as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team earned a 1-0 win over No. 2 Trinity (Texas) in its first-ever game at Nakasone Field on Friday evening.
With the win, the Stags improve to 2-0 on the year, after coming back for a 3-2 win at UC Santa Cruz in its opener on Tuesday. Trinity, which fell in overtime in the national champion game to Tufts last year, falls to 1-1.
CMS also earned its second win over a top two team in the last three years, after knocking off No. 1 and defending national champion St. Olaf 3-2 in the 2024 season.
The game-winning goal was set up by a through ball from
James Gomez, who put Ross in alone behind the defense. Ross had time to gather and take a dribble into the box, where he was able to beat Trinity goalkeeper Jayden Schell with a perfectly-placed shot into the upper-right corner at the 47:56 mark.
Axel Jimenez had two saves for his first collegiate shutout, and also had several key plays coming off his line to take away scoring chances from the Tigers before they could materialize.
Brayden Merza also helped preserve the shutout when he slid to defend a shot off a corner kick at the top of the six-yard box late in the game.
CMS will look to keep its strong start to the season going on Sunday, when it hosts Lewis & Clark for a 2 p.m. contest at Nakasone Field.
