Val Sobol (Larry Newman Photography)
Val Sobol (Larry Newman Photography)

Cal Lu shutout brings women's soccer season to abrupt end

ORANGE, Calif. – Unable to muster any offense, the Chapman University women's soccer team was eliminated from the SCIAC Postseason Tournament on Thursday, dropping a 1-0 decision to the top-ranked Cal Lutheran Regals at William Rolland Stadium in Thousand Oaks.

The Regals, who dominated possession and outshot the Panthers 23-7, earned a spot in the SCIAC championship game with their third consecutive shutout over the Panthers. A Saturday showdown with the Claremont-M-S Athenas is now all that stands in the way of their first conference tournament title since 2011.

It was a tough match from the outset as the Panthers weathered a flurry of offensive attacks by the Regals, managing just two shots to Cal Lutheran's 10 over the first 45 minutes. Freshman GK Kristin Kleinow, who started each of the Panthers' final four matches, made two key saves to keep the match scoreless through the first half.

Appearing energized after the break, the Panthers had two early shot opportunities in the first half, but GK Kristin Bailey and the Regals' defense thwarted both attempts, setting up the game-winning goal from F Taylor Will. The 58th minute goal, Will's 13th on the season, came on an assist from MF Bailey Marquez and clinched the Regals' spot in the championship game.

Chapman (10-10-1 overall, 7-7 SCIAC) reached double-digit wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons, but failed to compile a winning record, missing out on the opportunity to defend their SCIAC Postseason Tournament title.

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wsoc/2013-14/boxscores/20131107_vgzl.xml

by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant

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