Chapman drops three in season-opening tournament

ORANGE, Calif. - Entering the season ranked No. 8 in Division III didn't mean much to the Chapman University women's water polo team when it was faced with opening up against four top-10 teams in its season opening Chapman Tournament this weekend. The Panthers defeated No. 10 Grove City (Pa.), but lost to three other ranked teams, including the top two schools in Division III.

Game 1: Chapman 7, Grove City 5
The Panthers trailed 4-3 early in the third quarter before rattling off four straight goals to take a 7-4 lead and held on for the win. Freshman Lisa Horn and senior Sabrina Cook each scored a pair of goals for Chapman and sophomore goalie Celia Huling made 14 saves in the cage. In fact, the Panthers' defense came up huge in penalty killing, stopping Grove City on 6-on-5 advantages eight times.

Game 2: Pomona-Pitzer 15, Chapman 6
The No. 1 team in Division III flexed its muscles in Chapman's pool. The Sagehens held Chapman scoreless in the second and third quarters and scored eight consecutive goals to build a 12-3 lead in the fourth and never looked back. Cook scored all six of Chapman's goals while freshman Arielle Worthington tallied three assists.

Game 3: Whittier 14, Chapman 7
In a mild upset, No. 9-ranked Whittier scored the game's first six goals and led 10-2 at halftime en route to the win. Worthington, Cook and freshman Briana O'Keefe each scored a pair of goals, but the Panthers could not overcome the deficit in the second half.

Game 4: Cal State East Bay 9, Chapman 6
Facing conference rival and No. 2 East Bay, the Panthers took a two-goal lead going into the fourth quarter. O'Keefe's goal with 7:11 left in the third gave Chapman a 6-4 cushion and Panthers' defense shutout the Pioneers in the quarter. However, East Bay scored five unanswered goals in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner at 5:01 to win going away. Cook scored three goals and led the Panthers with 13 goals in the tournament. Huling made nine saves for Chapman in goal.