PASADENA, Calif. — It was a clash of nationally ranked programs on Wednesday as the No. 10 Caltech women's water polo team faced the No. 2 Claremont-Mudd-Scrips Athenas in a home matchup.

The game was highlighted by a number of Beavers, with junior driver Tyler Fox, first-year center attacker Mia Mutadich and senior utility Amanda Piyapanee leading the way in goals with two each.

The first period began with CMS striking first, but Caltech would bounce right back as first-year driver Madelyn Gilbert tied the score just over a minute later.

The two teams were not done trading goals as the first period continued. A score by the Athenas at the 4:34 mark would again give the visitors a one-goal advantage, but the Beavers immediately rebounded, scoring on their next possession thanks to a goal from Mutadich at the 4:20 mark.

The Beavers would go on to take the lead one minute later, as Tyler Fox fired an impressive shot to give Caltech the 3-2 advantage.

The home squad protected its lead on the following possession, but were unable to score on the other end. The Athenas would then tie the game up at 3-3 a few moments later.

The visitors would end the first period with two more goals before adding onto their total in the second quarter.

The Beavers, however, were not done scoring; a third period goal from Piyapanee off the assist from Fox would put Caltech within five.

The fourth quarter belonged to the home team as Caltech outscored CMS three goals to none. Mutadich scored her second goal at the 4:42 mark after getting fed the ball from Gurcan, followed a few minutes later by a power-play goal from Fox. A penalty shot from Piyapanee with one second remaining would give the Beavers their final goal of the evening, but it was not enough to overcome the second-ranked team in the nation.

Gurcan led the way in assists for Caltech with three; the team recorded a season-best four exclusions to the Athenas' nine.

Head coach Jon Bonafede and the team will head eastwards for their next contest as they face the La Verne Leopards in another conference matchup. The game will be held this Saturday, Apr. 1 at 11 a.m. with a live broadcast available on the SCIAC Network.