APU's fast start too much for Panthers in home finale

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women’s water polo team could not overcome a first-half scoring outburst by visiting Azusa Pacific University and the Panthers dropped their home finale 14-6 at the Allred Aquatics Center on Wednesday afternoon. The Cougars scored eight straight goals in 11:36 in the first half and cruised to their second straight victory.

Chapman (6-18) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game on a goal by freshman driver Ani Marganian. The Panthers kept it close in the first quarter, trailing 3-1 after the first eight minutes. However, APU strung together five straight goals in the second quarter, part of eight consecutive in the half and led 8-2 at halftime.

The Panthers rallied to start the second half with a pair of goals by sophomore 2-meter Arielle Worthington, cutting the Cougars’ lead to 8-4. That was as close as Chapman would get as Azusa Pacific outscored the Panthers 4-1 over the final 8:21 and won going away.

Senior D Jennelle Stacey led all scorers with six goals for Azusa Pacific (9-13). Chapman freshman goalie Alicia Wei made 12 saves to limit any further damage.

Worthington led Chapman with four goals, including three in the second half. The loss was the Panthers’ fifth in a row and they fell to 3-8 at home this season.

by Lindsay Jones & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Director

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