Reigning SCIAC Tournament Champs return to the field

ORANGE, Calif. – The reigning SCIAC Tournament Champions enter the 2019 season with a third place ranking in the SCIAC Pre-Season Poll released earlier this week.

After narrowly edging Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a penalty shootout of the semifinal round of the SCIAC Tournament last season, the Panthers defeated Occidental 1-0 as the No. 4 seed to earn their first-ever tournament championship.

This year, Chapman returns nine of its 11 starters from the 2018 season to the pitch, including 2018 All-West Region Third Team goalkeeper Chandler Siemonsma. In his first season with the Panthers, Siemonsma earned 12 starts, putting up a stellar performance in the SCIAC Tournament to earn the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Anchoring the back line for the second year in a row are seniors and 2018 All-SCIAC Second Teamers Jarod Matteoni and Patrick Quinn. The dynamic duo proved unstoppable in the back line, helping the Panthers post four shutouts and a 1.07 goals-against average. Both Matteoni and Quinn also prove to be helpful on offense as both defenders scored two goals last season.

The Panthers' midfield returns with a core group of seniors at the helm. 2018 All-SCIAC First Teamer Jonah Tipp is joined by classmates Andrew Moreland and Justo Garcia as he looks to control the tempo of play for his fourth and final season. After missing the second half of the season due to a knee injury, Garcia returns to the field as a key asset in Chapman's offense. The veteran will look to reprise his six-goal sophomore season.

Senior Ryan Onart returns to the pitch at forward after starting 14 matches in the 2018 season. The striker found the back of the net four times last season, including the game-winner of a must-win game against Pomona-Pitzer late in the 2018 season.

The Howes' legacy on the Chapman men's soccer program is far from over, as sophomore Tobi Howe returns to Chapman for his second season. The lone goal-scorer in the 2018 SCIAC Tournament Championship started every match last season, scoring two goals while assisting four goals.

With 10 seniors graduating after the 2019 season, head coach Eddie Carrillo added some depth to his roster with 11 newcomers this season. Sophomore Michael Bogart earned a starting spot on the back line as the only non-returner on the pitch in the first couple of scrimmages of the 2019 season.

The Panthers kick off their home schedule with a match against Whitworth University on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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