Wielenga, Hernandez net goals in first victory

ORANGE, Calif — Women's soccer took to the pitch as the final leg of a soccer double header on Tuesday, Sept. 6 afternoon to the tune of a hard-fought 3-1 win over McMurry (Tex.). 

Chapman suffered an early 1-0 deficit, but the Panthers were able to rattle off three unanswered goals to top the Warhawks. 

Freshman Alyssa Hernandez was a spark plug off of the bench scoring two goals in the first half. Her first goal at the 35th minute came off a sweet cross from Niki Namdar who was flying all over the field for the Chapman offense.

Just eight minutes later while McMurry was trying to retain possession of the ball around the goal, Namdar caused the defender to lose control of the ball while Hernandez came in to clean up the pieces chipping her shot high over the keeper and into the net to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead 1:22 before the half.

Coming out of the locker room both teams stood tough, with Chapman getting more looks than McMurry, outshooting the Warhawks 21-5. 

Late in the half, the 87th minute in fact, Ashley Wielenga took a free kick from around the 20-yard line that found the net to add a little cushion to the Panthers lead, that would soon after become the final.

A big first win of the season for the Panthers gives them momentum heading into a tough trip to Texas this weekend where they will take on Texas Lutheran and 16th ranked Trinity on Friday and Sunday.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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