Late comeback attempt come up short in season-opener

ORANGE, Calif. – A game-tying attempt bounced off the post and the Chapman University women's lacrosse team fell 10-9 to Occidental in its season-opener on Wednesday. The Panthers were down three with less three minutes to go.

Trailing 10-7 with less than three minutes left, junior Alexandra Callaway drove into the critical scoring area and bounced in a goal as she fell to the turf to breathe life into a comeback attempt. After freshman Vanessa Topete won a draw control over everyone, the Panthers fired off a shot and then another but were turned away by Occidental's goalie Neah Bois.

Callaway picked up the ground ball and earned a free position shot and buried the attempt into the net to make it 10-9.Senior Danielle Zahn picked up the ensuing draw control and freshman Emily Allen earned a free position shot. She drove to the far post but her shot bounced off the post and Oxy was able to hold on for the win.

The Panthers fought back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the match at 3-3 in the first half. After facing a 4-3 deficit at halftime, Chapman scored the first two goals of the half and went up 5-4 on Topete's first career goal. Junior Leah Donnelly put Chapman back up 6-5 with 24:04 left in the second half but Oxy responded with a 5-1 run to take a late commanding lead.

Callaway led the Panthers with a hat trick while Zahn and Allen each scored twice for the Panthers. Raj equaled Bois with eight saves between the pipes. Allessandra Pelliccia led Oxy with a hat trick and an assist.

Chapman won 13 draw controls compared to Oxy's eight but was just 3-for-11 on free position attempts.

The Panthers are on the road for their next two SCIAC contests but return home to face Pomona-Pitzer on Mar. 2 at 1 p.m.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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