Panthers defeat Redlands in home opener

ORANGE, Calif. – Junior Gretchen Rodenberger led the Chapman University women's lacrosse team to a 9-7 victory over University of Redlands on Saturday night. Rodenberger scored four goals on seven attempts in the Panthers home opener.

The Panthers set the tone for a high energy game early, scoring three goals in the first ten minutes of the game to take a 3-0 lead by the 19:16 minute mark. The Bulldogs finally got on the board with just under five minutes left in the first half to tighten the score 3-1. However, Rodenberger scored her third goal of the game with two minutes left to ensure the Panthers a 4-1 lead at the end of the half.

Chapman and Redlands then scored a pair of goals each in the first 15 minutes of the second half to move the score to 6-3. The Panthers then lifted their lead to 8-3 with goals from junior Tessa Oliaro and senior Brooke Martini.

The Redlands offense came alive in the last five minutes of the game scoring a quick three goals in three minutes to tighten the score 8-6. Redlands and Chapman would both score again with less than a minute left, allowing Chapman to earn the 9-7 win.

Martini and sophomore Stacey Zuppa scored a pair of goals each for the Panthers as well.

Junior Tara Sonnemaker earned her first win of the season playing all 60 minutes and recording eight saves in the goal.

The Panthers will travel to Whittier for their next game on Wednesday, Feb 24. Chapman will then return home to host Claremont-M-S on Saturday, Feb 27 for a 7 p.m. game.

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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