Season-opening split for Panthers in Day 1 of Chapman Tourney

ORANGE, Calif. - Just as the day saw some sunshine and a lot of rain, the Chapman University women's water polo team had some success but also had tough times as they split two games on Saturday at the Allred Aquatics Center in the first day of the Chapman University Tournament. The Panthers got their season off to a strong start with an 8-7 win over Grove City College in the morning game but lost 21-7 to Cal State East Bay in the night cap.

Game 1: Chapman 8, Grove City College 7

A furious fourth quarter comeback by Grove City (0-2) came up just short as Chapman withstood their rally. With Chapman (1-1) up 8-4 and three minutes remaining in the game, Grove City scored three goals over the next two minutes to narrow the lead to 8-7 with 25 seconds remaining. Two of the three Wolverines' goals during that stretch were scored by sophomore 2M Chelsea Johnson who finished with four scores.

Freshman driver Ani Marganian scored two goals to lead the team offensively in her Chapman debut. Junior goalie Celia Huling finished with five blocks.

Score by Quarters                     1          2          3          4          Final  
Grove City (0-2)                         0          1          2          4          7
Chapman (1-1)                          2          2          2          2          8      

GCC Goals: Johnson (4), Stiebler (2), Thompson
CU Goals: Marganian (2), Graham, Horn, Martin, O'Keefe, Worthington, Roy

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2009-10/stats/grc-cu.pdf

Game 2: East Bay 21, Chapman 7

The second game of the day belonged to Cal State East Bay as they jumped out to a 6-0 second quarter lead, scoring several breakaway scores. Chapman narrowed East Bay's lead to 6-2 on score by sophomore 2M Arielle Worthington with four minutes remaining in the second quarter but could not get closer the rest of the game.

Facing a 9-4 halftime deficit, the Panthers were held scoreless for the entire third quarter as the Pioneers lead ballooned to 16-4. Chapman scored three in the fourth quarter with goals by Worthington, freshman driver Samantha McLaughlin and sophomore D Fernanda Gallo Moreno. Sophomore driver Briana O'Keefe and Worthington each had a team-high two scores.

Score by Quarters                     1          2          3          4          Final  
East Bay (9-6)                           5          4          7          5          21
Chapman (1-1)                          0          4          0          3          7        

East Bay Goals: Pierce (7), Warren (3), Bell (2), Finney (2), Gudenau (2), Baldree, Comforti, Gelet, Griffin, Kennedy-Donohue
CU Goals: O'Keefe, Worthington, Marganian, McLaughlin, Moreno

Boxscore:  http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2009-10/stats/csueb-cu.pdf

by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant