Spell broken: Chapman finally figures out Pomona-Pitzer

ORANGE, Calif. - It's been seven years since the last time the Chapman University men's soccer team defeated West Region rival Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. Whatever spell the Sagehens cast on Chapman was broken as the Panthers scored a goal in each half and shutout the Sagehens, 2-0 at Wilson Field on Wednesday evening.

Sophomore M Chris Duran knocked in the game-winner at 39:22 in the first half settling a pass from senior F Matt Prouty and taking the shot from the left side. Sagehens GK Ian Schoen actually got a piece of the shot to slow it down, but it just crossed the goal line before any Pomona defender could chase it down. That gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Senior M Alex Sewitz gave Chapman an insurance goal in the 71st minute with a blistering shot from in front of the goal. Sewitz first goal of the season actually originated with a fortunate bounce at midfield, along the left boundary line. A Chapman pass was heading out of bounds before it hit the back of a Sagehens player and kicked to freshman F Mauricio Alfonso. Alfonso - on a dead sprint - dribbled down the left side before crossing the ball to Sewitz who finished the play.

Chapman earned its second shutout of the season and improved to 3-0 to equal its 2006 start. The Panthers will try to make it 4-0 when they travel to Puget Sound (Wash.) on Friday afternoon. Chapman has not been 4-0 since 1995 when it began the season 5-0 on its way to the NCAA Division III Final Four. The Panthers most recently began unbeaten in 2002, going 3-0-2 through their first five matches.

Box Score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/msoc/2009-10/stats/pp-cu.htm