Posted: Aug 31, 2011
Pieces in place for another postseason run
ORANGE, Calif. – With 17 players back from last season's NCAA playoff team, including 13 who started at least four games, the Chapman University women's soccer team has the pieces in place to make another postseason run. That quest begins this week.
The Panthers finished 2010 with a 12-7 record, losing 2-1 to Redlands in the first round of the NCAA Championships, but the majority of those players return this year as they look to make the postseason for the second-straight year. The last time the women's soccer team played in back-to-back postseasons was 2004, when they made it each season from 1999-2004.
Of the seven returning starters, five were All-Independent selections in 2010 including junior F Aimee Evans and junior D Carly Sanchez. Evans was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year by the Association of Division III Independents as the Panthers' leading scorer with 12 goals and two assists, while Sanchez was named Defensive Player of the Year. Sophomore F Val Sobol (11 goals, 4 assists), junior M Karina Cisneros (2 goals, 4 assists) and senior M Breehn Sasaki (2 assists) are also returners who were named to the 2010 All-Independent team.
Senior F Kate Lilly is expected to add to the Panthers offense as well. The Woodinville, Wash. native missed much of 2010 with an injury but was a 2009 All-Independent selection. The Panthers should be solid on defense as well with senior D Rosie Chinen, junior D Tess Amato, and sophomore D Mandi Williams back after seeing significant playing time last year.
Goalie appears to be the one question mark heading into the season, but not because the Panthers don't have experience. Senior Chloe Canta – the Panthers most experienced goalie – returns, but not for a few more weeks because of a lingering injury which leaves junior Rissa Andersen and sophomore Cassy Khouri to compete for the starting duties. Andersen started 10 games in 2010 with 36 saves, two shutouts and 10 goals against.
The Panthers are looking for their third-straight winning season and fifth overall under head coach Courtney Calderon who was named the Co-Coach of the Year last season by the Association of Division III Independents. To do so, the Panthers will have to overcome a difficult schedule which includes four teams in the D3soccer.com preseason top-25 (No. 6 Emory, No. 12 Illinois Wesleyan, No. 19 Puget Sound, No. 24 Redlands).
by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant