CLAREMONT, Calif. - The young Pacific Lutheran women's soccer team found the going difficult against a regional power on Friday as the Lutes dropped a 5-1 decision to host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Senior forward Monica Beard scored an unassisted goal in the 29th minute for the Lutes, cutting the Athenas' lead in half. The score was still tied at 2-1 at the break. The hosts tallied three unanswered goals in the 57th, 68th and 79th minutes for the final result.

Lauren Chambard started in goal for the Lutes and recorded seven saves while allowing three of the goals in 60 minutes. Ivory Harvey finished the game and gave up the final two tallies while also notching three saves.

CMS returned 18 players from the 2008 team that ended up No. 23 in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III national poll. Their experience showed against the youthful Lutes, who started their season on Tuesday with a 1-0 shutout of Northwest University. Claremont finished the match with a 30-3 shot advantage and a 9-0 edge in corner kicks.

PLU returns to action at 11 a.m. Saturday when it kicks off against Chapman University in Orange.

- PLU -