Women's Lacrosse readies for SCIAC semi-finals

ORANGE, Calif — Women's Lacrosse will play in the SCIAC tournament semi-finals on Wednesday, May 4. As the third seed, the Panthers will take on the second seed, Claremont-M-S, in Claremont at 7 p.m.

Chapman is entering Wednesday's game coming off of a 15-13 victory over the fourth seed, Occidental, last Saturday, Apr. 30. In that matchup, Riley Murphy and Vanessa Topete combined for nine goals, and Emily Allen rocketed off three assists.

Previous Matchups

Chapman has faced Claremont-M-S twice thus far this season. The Athenas got the best of the Panthers in both matchups, 20-11 in the second game of the season on Feb. 26 and 14-11 on Apr. 13.

In the most recent contest, the Panthers led after the first quarter and entered the half tied at seven. Then CMS took the second half 7-4, but Chapman played them close the entire game.

In that game, Murphy, Allen, and Annika Carlson each scored two goals apiece, and Anna Hereu saved 12 goals. 

Players to Watch

The Panthers have three First-Team All SCIAC members on the roster and a pair elected to the Second Team as well. Anna Hereu, along with being on the First Team, won SCIAC newcomer of the year.

Hereu was named SCIAC Women's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week twice on Mar. 21 and Apr. 25. She is second on Chapman's single season saves list, 21 behind the leader. 

Allen, another first teamer, is only two assists behind the single season assist record. She's posted 22 assists and 28 goals on the season. The last First Team winner is Sophie Pelton, who is an outstanding defender. She's caused 11 turnovers and scooped up 27 ground balls.

On the CMS side, Alex Futterman scored seven goals when the teams last met.

Keys to Victory

The Panthers will need to keep the game close like in their Apr. 13 meeting. 

Anna Hereu, who is second in the SCIAC in saves and save percentage at 144 and 47.4%, will need to post another double-digit save total. 

Continue the high quality of play the Panthers have shown over the past month of the season.

Outcome

The winner will move on to face the winner of No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer and No. 4 Occidental in the SCIAC Championship. The highest seed remaining will host the finale at their home field.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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