Panthers drop WWPA opener to Colorado State

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -  The Colorado State women's water polo team scored three goals in the final 1:39 of the third quarter to pull away from Chapman University and spoil any thoughts of a Panther upset in the opening game of the Western Water Polo Association championships at Santa Clara University on Friday morning. The No. 6-seeded Rams went on to win 14-9 and advanced to face No. 3 seed and host Santa Clara later on Friday afternoon.

Chapman (9-20) led 5-4 late in the first half, but Colorado State (15-15) scored back-to-back goals to end the second quarter with a 6-5 lead. The Rams then outscored Chapman 5-1 in the third quarter, including a flurry of three goals in the closing minutes to put the game out of reach.

Chapman senior 2-meter Sabrina Cook scored the Panthers' first six goals of the game and finished with eight to lead all scorers. Cook added to her school record with 112 goals now this season. Freshman 2-meter Arielle Worthington added a goal in fourth quarter for the Panthers, her 45th of the year.

The Panthers will face No. 8 seed Cal State East Bay on Friday at 9 a.m.

Game Box: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wwaterpolo/2008-09/stats/CU-CSU_WWPA1.PDF