Five Panthers score hat trick in big win over Whittier

ORANGE, Calif. –  Five Panthers scored at least a hat trick as the Chapman University women's lacrosse team defeated visiting Whittier 20-11 on Wednesday. Senior Kelsey Mackin led everyone with five goals and the Panthers led wire-to-wire.

It took just one minute and 45 seconds for freshman Danelle Lucero to find the back of the net. Junior Becka Wachtel scored just 38 seconds later and the Panthers led the rest of the way to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Both Wachtel and Lucero scored three goals for the Panthers. Junior Stacey Zuppa also scored three in addition to distributing four assists, coming up with two ground balls and corralling six draw controls. Sophomore Danielle Zahn scored four times and swooped up six ground balls. Mackin had an assist and six draw controls to go along with her five goals. She took just five shots in the game and connected on every one.

The Panthers built a 4-1 lead in the first 10 minutes and saw that lead grow to 12-3 with 4:42 to go in the first half. Whittier responded with a couple of goals before halftime to crawl back within seven at 12-5. Lexie Meanor kept the momentum for the Poets with a goal to start off the second half. She scored three consecutive goals to cut the deficit from nine to six.

Another goal just five minutes into the second half made it a 12-7 game but Chapman went on a 6-1 run to put the game out of reach. Senior Tara Sonnemaker made eight saves, holding Whittier to a 4-for-12 mark on free position shots.

The Panthers take a break from SCIAC play for the next six matches. They host New England College on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Wilson Field.

by Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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