Women’s soccer falls despite late-game push

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's soccer team fought hard to come back from an early deficit, but lost 3-2 to Occidental on Saturday morning. Senior Ashley Carney came up big on both defense and offense, scoring the first Panther goal to bring the Panthers even with the Tigers in the first half.

Occidental gained momentum quickly and early, scoring its first goal just under nine minutes into the game. Senior Kayla Coleman cleaned up a scrum in the box, placing the ball in the back of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Carney didn't let that slow Chapman down, as she pulled the momentum back in the Panther's favor with a one-time outside shot off a bad clear. The captain buried the ball in the back of the net to pull Chapman even with the Tigers.

With just eight seconds left in the first half, freshman Riley Pidgeon gave up a penalty kick that Occidental senior Erin Iacullo converted, shifting the momentum in favor of the Tigers going into the second half.

That momentum carried into the first three minutes of the second half, as sophomore Meredith Cook slotted the ball in the back of the net from ten yards out.

The Panthers fought hard to overcome the 3-1 deficit, outshooting the Tigers 13-2 in the second half. Junior Shelby Brown converted late in the match, curling the ball into the left side netting with just over a minute left in the game off a pass from Pidgeon.

Chapman had one last chance after a foul was called on Occidental with 40 seconds left at the Tigers' 30-yard line. Pidgeon lined up to take the shot, but missed just wide. Occidental held on, putting another tally in the win column.

The Panthers peppered junior Sydney Tomlinson and senior Dallas Gunny with shots, outshooting Occidental 20-5 and forcing the goalkeepers to make a combined eight saves.

Chapman heads out on the road for its next three games, but returns home on Saturday, Oct. 14 to take on Whittier at 11 a.m.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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