Back home, Panthers sweep Slugs and extend unbeaten streak

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's soccer team returned home to a resounding 3-0 win over West Region rival UC Santa Cruz at Wilson Field on Friday night. The Panthers swept the home-and-home series with the Banana Slugs for the first time ever and extended their current unbeaten streak to eight games (5-0-3).

Chapman (11-3-3) was playing its first home game in 18 days following five consecutive away games that included a 3-1 win against Santa Cruz last Friday. The Panthers also improved to 6-1-1 at Wilson Field in 2011.

UC Santa Cruz (8-8) controlled the pace of the game for much of the first half, out-shooting Chapman 8-4 in the first 45 minutes of play. However, the Panthers got a break when Slugs' GK Nate Levinson got caught out of position on the left of the goal. Chapman junior F Mauricio Alfonso crossed a ball that went off Levinson's hands and sophomore D Chris Darling was there to knock home the eventual game winning goal to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

Still leading 1-0 in the second half, the Panthers struck again in the 68th minute when Alfonso fired a direct kick from outside the top of the 18-yard box and hit the right post behind a diving Levinson. The ball bounced loose in the goalie box where senior M Chris Duran pounced on it for the score. With two assists, Alfonso added to his team lead with seven and has a career-high 29 points.

Senior M Brett Richardson delivered the final blow 8 minutes later, giving Chapman a 3-0 advantage with a goal in the 76th minute. After a Duran shot attempt was saved by Levinson – one of his three in the game – Richardson took a one-time shot at the rebound and scored. It was his third goal of the season, all coming in the past five games.

Senior GK Jimmy Adranly earned his fifth shutout of the year, making six saves and improving his overall record to 10-2.

With just one regular season game remaining against NAIA opponent La Sierra on Sunday, the Panthers will finish with a 10-2-2 record versus Division III regional opponents – a main criterion for NCAA postseason consideration. Chapman is currently tied for No. 4 in the West Region.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/msoc/2011-12/boxscores/20111028_no7f.xml

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