Ryan Onart defends the player with the ball.
Ryan Onart (photo by Larry Newman)

Men’s soccer earns crucial SCIAC victory

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's soccer team earned a commanding 3-1 victory over the visiting Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens (4-7, 3-4 SCIAC) this evening. The Panthers (7-3, 5-2 SCIAC) were led by junior Ryan Onart, who tallied a goal and an assist in tonight's crucial SCIAC victory.

Chapman struck first when senior Kai Howe received a pass across the face of the goal from Onart. The team captain took one touch to set himself up before slotting the ball into the back of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.

After scoring the first goal, Chapman started to find their groove, controlling possession while out-shooting the Sagehens 7-2 in the first half. It wasn't until the second half that freshman Aidan Wall found the back of the net to increase the Panthers' lead. The rookie picked off a pass to one of Pomona-Pitzer's defenders, taking one touch around sophomore goalkeeper Brian Diangson before passing it easily into the open net.

Onart tallied his third goal of the season 16 minutes later after receiving a perfectly slotted pass behind the back line from senior James Tribbey. Onart found himself one-on-one with Diangson and found the far side netting to put the Panthers up 3-0 with 24 minutes left to play in the match.

With just over six minutes left to play, Sagehen senior Aiden Ferrer ripped a shot from just outside the 18-yard box, placing the ball past the outstretched arms of freshman goalkeeper Jaxson Thornton. The late surge from Pomona-Pitzer put the Panthers on their heels but was not enough to rally a comeback.

Freshman goalkeeper Chandler Siemonsma started and played for 80 minutes, tallying his sixth win while making five saves. Thornton tallied one save in his 10 minutes of action.

The Chapman defense continues to be solid, as juniors Jarod Matteoni and Patrick Quinn have recorded their fifth consecutive 90-plus minute game on the back line.

The Panthers head on the road for their next two matches but return home to Wilson Field on Wednesday, Oct. 10 to take on Redlands at 4pm.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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