Panthers deal Redlands its first loss of the season

ORANGE, Calif. – In what some may have characterized as a 'must-win' match for the Chapman University men's soccer team and its hopes of returning to the NCAA postseason, the Panthers handed the visiting University of Redlands its first loss of the season, a 1-0 Panthers' win at a cold and wet Wilson Field on Monday night. The victory was Chapman's third in a row over rival Redlands.

Chapman (7-5-1) hopes the win over previously unbeaten Redlands (5-1-2), which is ranked No. 6 in the West Region, boosts its standing among the rest of the schools in the West. Currently unranked, the Panthers improved to 5-2-1 against West Region teams with just three matches remaining against in-region competition.

Freshman M Chris Darling picked an opportune time for his first career goal, pouncing on a rebounded shot and hammering home the game-winner with less than a minute remaining in the first half.

A stubborn Chapman defense handled the rest in the second half, preserving the 1-0 lead. Despite Redlands out-numbering the Panthers in scoring opportunities in the second half, including five corner kicks (two in the final 30 seconds), the Bulldogs managed no legitimate shots in the final 45 minutes.

The Panthers out-shot Redlands 15-6 in the game although just four of Chapman's shots were on goal.

Senior GK Tyler Hadzinsky made all four of his saves in the first half – at least one from point blank range – and earned his third shutout of the year. The senior lowered his goals-against average to 0.84 in 13 matches this season.

Chapman improved to 3-0-1 at Wilson Field this season with four of its final six matches at home.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/msoc/2010-11/files/ur-cu.htm