Strong second half extends winning streak for Panthers

ORANGE, Calif. –The Chapman University men's water polo team extended its win streak to 11 on Saturday. Division III's No. 2-ranked Chapman defeated University of La Verne 17-10 at Allred Aquatics Center to keep the Panthers undefeated in conference play and at home.

Junior utility Jake Gross put the Panthers on the board first taking the lead 1-0 less than two minutes into the match. Junior utility Willis Allen then scored a pair of goals to extend Chapman's lead 3-1 with 2:23 left. The Panthers finished the first quarter leading the Leopards 5-2.  

Extending the Panthers' lead senior driver Chase Middlesworth scored four goals in the second quarter to give the Panthers a 9-5 advantage at the end of the first half. Middlesworth finished the match with four goals, three steals and one earned ejection.

The Panthers pulled away in the second half scoring seven goals while allowing just four. Freshman goalie Brody Zachary recorded nine blocks and two steals in 16 minutes of play.

Continuing to lead the Panthers senior driver Mark Alvarado recorded four goals in eight attempts in Saturday's match reaching 52 goals this season. Allen and freshman Jeff O'Brien had three goals each in the match as well.

Chapman is now 5-0 in its past five SCIAC matches and is 5-0 at home this season. The Panthers will travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Saturday Nov. 8 and then to Whittier College on Nov. 12 before returning home for their "Senior Day" and last home match of the regular season against California Institute of Technology on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m.

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/mwaterpolo/2014-15/files/Chapman_vs._La_Verne.pdf

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