Men's soccer leads early, season ends on penalty goal

BELTON, Texas — Men's soccer's season ended on Saturday Nov. 12 to the tune of a 2-1 loss to the St. Thomas (Texas) Celts at the host site of Mary-Hardin Baylor.

The Panthers went up early and had control of the game for the entirety of the first half. In the 12th minute of the contest, Riley Thomas was able to break away through the middle and found the back of the net. His second goal of the season couldn't have come at a bigger time.

A Chapman team that had been so good at sealing the deal with one goal throughout the season and into the SCIAC tournament, looked to be in the driver's seat for the remainder, but St. Thomas's 21 shot attempts were bound to have at least one netted which they finally did in the 63rd minute.

With the score notched at one late into the second half, Isaac Tamer, already sitting on a yellow, chased after a ball in the box. An already physical game with four cards, and 30 fouls — and the Celts trying to draw whistles all game — the St. Thomas's player stopped to readjust his footing and Tamer, racing in quickly, connected on a hard foul. He would leave the game with a red, but more importantly with the foul happening inside the box, the Celts were rewarded a PK.

It was the 81st minute and it was up to First Team All-SCIAC keeper Chandler Siemonsma, but a perfectly placed ball from St. Thomas gave them the decisive game-winner.

Garrett Lindfelt got a few quality looks in the second half, but either a block from the defense, a save or a slight miss kept Chapman from scoring that elusive second goal.

The Panthers finished the season 11-3-6, but look forward to another great season next year.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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