Panthers Spoil Homecoming for Kingsmen

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Chapman Panthers spoiled Homecoming for the Cal Lutheran men’s soccer team as a crowd of more than 350 could not energize the Violet and Gold in a 2-1 loss at Rolland Stadium this evening to conclude a wonderful day on campus.

Chapman struck first and last, ultimately denying the Kingsmen of returning to the win column on their home turf tonight.

In the third minute of action, CU scored a goal to the back left corner of the net when a CLU player blocked a Panthers shot, misdirecting the ball right to Chris Darling who tapped it in.

The Panthers controlled the pace of play in the opening 45 minutes, firing off 13 shots to three from the Kingsmen with six corner kicks as CLU earned none.

Despite the Panthers tenacity, the Violet and Gold used a free-kick to their advantage when Salvador Orozco bent a 30-yard beauty into the top right corner of the cage to even the score at 1-1 in the 35^th minute.

After the intermission, Chapman put up another crooked number when Nick Echeverry scored his 12^th goal of the season to push the Panthers ahead 2-1.

CLU generated ample opportunities in the second half although the Kingsmen were unable to convert.

Kyle Fleming led all players with six of the nine Cal Lutheran shots tonight. Orozco scored on his only attempt of the evening and Nick Baldi also fired off one shot, which was also on goal. Guarding the CLU goal for the entirety of the contest, Jack Duncan turned away six CU shots.  

Chapman (9-5-2, 7-4-1 SCIAC) finished with 22 total attempts and got five shots, with four on target, from Gino Belassen. Echeverry, Duncan Capriotti and Boston Kimmel each fired off three in the contest. In the second half CU added four corner kicks to their tally to finish with 10. Nick Berardi was the winning goalie, recording two saves for the Panthers.

Cal Lutheran (8-5-2, 6-4-2 SCIAC) is on the road at Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 23 to face the Sagehens at 4:00 p.m.  

Box Score: CU 2, CLU 1
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