Claremont, Calif. - The Pomona-Pitzer Women's Soccer team used goals from sophomore midfielder Erin Edmonds (Salem, Ore.) and senior forward Traci Lopez (Santa Fe, N.M.) as it defeated Redlands 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon in the SCIAC opener for both teams.

With the win, the Sagehens improve to 3-1 on the season, including 1-0 in the SCIAC, as well as picking up their third straight shutout. The only goal they have allowed so far was in a 1-0 defeat to Vanguard in their season opener on a penalty kick. Redlands, which came in undefeated on the young season, slips to 2-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the SCIAC.

"This was definitely a big win to start off 1-0 in the SCIAC," said Pomona-Pitzer head coach Jen Scanlon. "Plus, it's big just because we beat a really good team. But I told the team afterward that it's only one game, and you can't get too high or too low over one game. We can enjoy it, but our next game on Saturday (at La Verne) counts just the same, so we have to be ready to get back to work tomorrow."

Edmonds scored the game's first goal with 14:30 left in the opening half (celebration pictured), when she got on the back end of a well-placed cross from senior midfielder Rachel Eckerlin (Shoreline, Wash.). Eckerlin was able to fight off a Redlands defender outside the left corner of the penalty area and bent a cross into the middle of the box. Edmonds charged down the middle from the weak side, and one-timed a shot past charging Redlands goalkeeper Linzey Smith for her second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners.

The Sagehens then sealed the game with 6:59 to play, when senior forward Traci Lopez (Santa Fe, N.M.) stepped in to steal a Redlands back pass and broke in alone. Smith came off her line to cut down the angle, but Lopez tucked a low shot underneath her and into the net for her third goal in the last two games.

Redlands had few quality chances on goal the entire game, as their best chance came on a corner kick which Devin Wright nearly bent straight into the net, but Sagehens goalkeeper Emma Wolfarth (Arlington, Va.) was able to punch the ball away in traffic while standing on the goal line. Minutes later, Lopez was able to put the game away with her unassisted goal.

Wolfarth picked up her third straight shutout in net, while lowering her goals against average to 0.25 on the season. The defense was once again solid in front of her, led by junior center back Jordan Bryant (Pomona, Calif./Claremont High School).

"Jordan has been a big key to our success," said Scanlon. "She provides cover for everyone and picks up the little mistakes around her. She's definitely one of those players who makes everyone else around her better."

Pomona-Pitzer will next be in action when it travels to La Verne on Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest.