For the first time in 10 years men's soccer is NCAA bound

ORANGE, Calif. - It's been exactly 10 years since the Panthers last received this phone call. The Chapman University men's soccer team is returning to the NCAA Division III postseason for the first time since 1999.

Chapman (11-4-2) was selected as one of three Pool 'B' teams (Independent at-large) into the tournament. The Panthers will travel to Santa Cruz to face Northwest Conference winner Whitworth University (Wash.) in the first round this Saturday. The Pirates were 13-2-3 this season. Game time to be determined.

Also in the four-team bracket is SCIAC champion Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (11-7-2) which will face host U.C. Santa Cruz (13-4-2) on Saturday.

The Panthers were among the best defensive teams in Division III during the 2009 regular season, posting eight shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.57. Junior GK Tyler Hadzinsky has led the way with five shutouts in 14 starts for Chapman.

Offensively, the Panthers are led by seniors Matt Prouty (seven goals, 16 points) and Alex Sewitz (five goals, five assists, 15 points).

Chapman returns to the postseason for the first time since 1999, after reaching the playoffs in three consecutive seasons under head coach Eddie Carrillo (1997-99). The Panthers reached the NCAA Division III Final Four and won a West Region title back in 1995.

Tournament bracket: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ncaa/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/2009-MSoc-D3Bracket.pdf