Panthers turned away by La Verne; win streak snapped

ORANGE, Calif. - Despite out-shooting its opponents 25-6 in the game, the Chapman University women's soccer team was turned away time and time again, falling to visiting University of La Verne 2-1 at Wilson Field on Wednesday night. The loss snapped the Panthers' four-game winning streak and is just their second West Region defeat all season.

Chapman (11-4) fell behind early and never quite recovered. La Verne's Falisha Ramirez scored her first of two goals in the 18th minute to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Ramirez then struck again to start the second half with a goal in the 52nd minute of play to make it 2-0.

With an increased sense of urgency, the Panthers applied strong pressure over the final 35 minutes of play, taking most of their 25 team shots in that time. Chapman could not convert on any of those shots until La Verne was called for a foul inside their own goalie box, resulting in a penalty kick - Chapman's first of the year. Sophomore F Kate Lilly converted on the PK attempt to bring the Panthers within one, but that was as close as they would get.

La Verne (4-9-1) had been winless in eight of its previous nine matches, but benefited greatly from the play of GK Brigette Jennings who made 12 saves in goal for the Leopards.

The Panthers' first loss in almost three weeks came on the same day they were ranked No. 2 in the West Region by the NCAA regional rankings committee. Chapman is currently No. 4 in the West in the NSCAA coaches' poll and the first team listed as "receiving votes" for the Division III top-25.

Box Score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wsoc/2009-10/stats/ulv-cu.htm