Redlands comeback gives Chapman its first loss of the year

ORANGE, Calif. – The University of Redlands women's lacrosse team opened the second half with four straight goals on its way to a 12-10 come-from-behind win over host Chapman University at Wilson Field on Saturday night in SCIAC play. The defending conference champions handed the Panthers their first loss of the season and remained unbeaten themselves.

Chapman (2-1 overall, 2-1 SCIAC) built a 6-3 lead at the 6:26 mark of the first half on a goal by junior M Victoria Wilkinson and went on to lead 8-6 at halftime.

However, Redlands (3-0 overall, 3-0 SCIAC) came storming back in the second half, scoring four consecutive goals – two by senior M Crystal Painter – to take a 10-8 lead and the Bulldogs wouldn't relinquish it. Painter finished with three goals and a pair of assists for Redlands.

After falling behind 1-0 and being held scoreless for nearly 13 minutes to open the game, Wilkinson got Chapman on the board with two quick goals. Wilkinson took a pass from junior A Allie Kontny to tie the game at 17:03 in the period and then scored on a free position 8-meter attempt and the Panthers didn't trail the rest of the first half.

Sophomore A Abbey Messmer closed out the half with a quick goal, taking a draw control with 15 seconds remaining and sprinting into the offensive zone to score with just 11 seconds left. Messmer finished with two goals.

In the second half it was all Redlands as Chapman was kept off the scoreboard for 18:45 until Wilkinson netted one to pull the Panthers within a goal at 10-9, but that was as close as they would get. The junior led all players with five goals including Chapman's only two goals in the second half.

Panthers' senior G Anjali Thota (1-1) suffered her first loss of the season despite making a season-high 11 saves in goal.

Chapman travels to Whittier College on Wednesday to continue SCIAC play before coming home on Friday to host Morrisville State (N.Y.) in a non-conference matchup at Wilson Field at 7 p.m.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wlax/2012-13/boxscores/20130216_3r08.xml

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