Women’s soccer falls in season opener

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's soccer team fell 2-0 to the visiting Knox College Prairie Fire in its 2018 season opener. The Panthers outshot Knox 11-3 but struggled to find the back of the net.

Junior Elly Aronson led the way with four shots, with senior Lindsay Erl following behind with three. Chapman peppered Prairie Fire senior goalkeeper Sierra Daniger with shots, forcing her to make eight saves in 90 minutes of play.

After a scoreless 30 minutes, The Panthers had what would prove to be one of their best opportunities of the game. Erl struck a shot from the 25-yard line, nailing the cross bar and sending the ball straight back to Aronson. Aronson then hit it first-time over Daniger's head, only to hit the crossbar for a second time. The ball dropped and hit Daniger in the back, going out for a corner kick.

Knox then struck in the 34th minute after being awarded a corner kick. Sophomore Brooklyn Deming lofted the ball to the near post, forcing the Panthers to make a defensive play that ended in an own goal.

Chapman surged on offense and took control of possession in the middle of the match, but Deming scored in the 63rd minute to extend the Prairie Fire lead. The sophomore received the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box and fired a shot that soared over freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Bland's head into the left side netting.

Bland played the full 90 minutes in the first match of her college career, tallying two saves on just three shots.

The Panthers travel to the University of Redlands tomorrow, Sept. 1 as they host Gustavus Adolphus at 5pm.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#Chaptown