Game Notes vs. Redlands (11/11/10)

Meet the Teams
Chapman enters the postseason as the field's lone Pool 'B' at-large bid, having won its last four regular season games, outscoring opponents 14-3 over that stretch. The Panthers are 12-6 this season, 9-5 against Division III opponents and 3-2 at home. Redlands, a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) enters Thursday's game with a 10-9 overall record. The Bulldogs finished fourth overall in the SCIAC during the regular season and earned the conference's automatic playoff bid by winning the conference tournament. Redlands beat 15th-ranked and top-seeded Cal Lutheran 2-0 in the semifinals and then won 1-0 over Occidental in 2OT in the finals.

An Exciting Rematch
Chapman defeated Redlands 3-2 in Sept. at Wilson Field. The Panthers built a 2-0 second-half lead on a pair of goals by freshman F Camy Jun. Redlands then tied the score with two goals of its own in a two-minute stretch, one by junior M Fionna Connolly and the other by junior F Maddy Phillips. Then in the 82nd minute, shortly after subbing into the game, senior M Bridget Thomson scored the game-winning goal off an assist by sophomore M Karina Cisneros.

Redlands a Familiar Postseason Foe
This is the third time that these teams have met in NCAA Division III Championships play with Redlands having won both games. In fact, the Panthers' last postseason appearance in 2004 ended with a 2-1home-loss to the Bulldogs in the first round. The most exciting matchup between these teams however came in 2001as Redlands defeated Chapman 7-6 on penalty kicks in four overtimes to advance to the NCAA West Region Championship Game.

Postseason History
This is Chapman's seventh appearance in the Division III Championships with a 4-6 record all-time. The Panthers last reached the postseason in 2004 and made six-straight appearances from 1999-2004. In six postseason appearances, Chapman has made the "Sweet 16" twice, the Regionals twice and the first round twice. Chapman defeated Whittier 3-1 in the 2003 first round for its last playoff victory. For Redlands, this is its fourth trip to the Division III Championships, last appearing in 2008. Three of the four years that Redlands has made the postseason, they have opened against Chapman. Redlands has twice made the second round, most recently in 2004.

Score Early, Score Often
The Panthers are 9-1 this season when scoring  two-or-more goals but 3-5  when held under that number so the more goals the better. Also Chapman is 9-1when getting on the scoreboard first.

Chapman Players to Watch
The Panthers are led by sophomore M Aimee Evans who has a team-high 12 goals and four game-winning scores to go along with two assists. Evans keeps the pressure on opposing goalies, putting 60 percent of her shots on goal. Second on the team in scoring is freshman F Val Sobol who has 11 goals - including a three-goal game - and two assists. Setting the table for the Panthers' offense is junior F Kate Lilly and Cisneros who each have four assists. Thomson also has five goals, including the game-winning goal against Redlands in Sept. Sophomore GK Rissa Andersen has filled in nicely for injured GK Chloe Canta, holding opponents to a goals-against average of 1.09 in nine games. She also has two shutouts.

Redlands Players to Watch
The Bulldogs have an extremely balanced offense with14 players having scored at least one goal and six players tied for the team-lead in assists with three. Connolly is the Bulldogs' leading scorer with nine goals and three assists, including one goal against Chapman. Seniors Emily Birzak and Chelsea Hafley are second on the team, each with five goals. Birzak has provided offense for the Bulldogs off the bench, starting just three games. Sophomore GK Rachel Foreman has started 14 games and allowed just seven goals for a goals-against average of 0.63 with four shutouts. Chapman faced back-up goalie Linzey Smith in Sept.

Ticket Information
Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $3 for students, seniors and veterans and $2 for children.

Follow the Game With Live Stats
Live stats for the game will be available by going to http://livestats.prestosports.com/chapman/

Please click here for the full pdf version of the game notes.

by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant