CLAREMONT — Carly Zurcher had a hat-trick, Zulema Iboa-Garcia added a pair of goals and the Occidental women's water polo team gave perennial SCIAC-power Claremont-Mudd-Scripps a run for its money in its own pool.

But the Tigers couldn't maintain momentum from their hot start, falling to the Athenas 7-6 in a close game on Saturday.

Zurcher, the team's goals leader with 17 this season, also had two assists and one steal, helping the Tigers jump out to a 2-0 lead. Previously in the season, Oxy has fallen victim to slow starts, so being up against a top team was unexepcted. The Tigers fell behind 7-4 in the second half and had to claw their way back within one goal.

"We did really well under pressure at the end of the game and we've never really been in that situation before," Zurcher said. "The game is a constant learning experience and I think moving forward we will focus more on the details that could have helped us int his game and hopefully win the next one."

Oxy goalkeeper Anna De Groot made seven saves, had two assists and three steals.

Season Impact: The Tigers fall to 2-8 overall and 0-4 in the SCIAC.

CMS improves to 6-15 and 3-2.

Next Game: Oxy faces La Verne on Wednesday at Taylor Pool at 4 p.m.