Late push seals Panthers win in SCIAC semifinal

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The No. 3 Chapman Panthers were able to pull away late and earn a berth in the SCIAC Tournament championship game thanks to a 10-7 win over the No. 2 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas.

In the SCIAC semifinal game at Zinda Field, Chapman jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead five minutes in with goals from sophomore Stacey Zuppa and freshman Danielle Zahn before freshman Corie Hack (CMC) put CMS on the board four minutes later.

The Athenas continued to push back when sophomore Katie Hill (CMC) scored her first of the game on a free position shot to make it 3-2. Hill knotted the game at three at the eight minute mark following a turnover caused by junior Zoe Pinczower (CMC).

The teams treaded goals in the final seven minutes leading to a 4-4 deadlock at halftime.

Hill scored 23 seconds into the second half to give CMS its first lead of the game and complete the hat trick but Chapman came back firing. Junior Gretchen Rodenberger, senior Kelsey Mackin and Zahn each were able to put shots past senior goalie Kate Anello (CMC) in the span of three minutes

Sophomore Ellen Berkley (CMC) helped CMS tie the game at seven with an assist and a goal but Rodenberger gave the Panthers their fourth one goal lead with 12 minutes left.

The Panthers played a strong game of keep away the rest of the way and added two more in the final two minutes for the 10-7 win.

Rodenberger led all Panthers with four goals on ten shots, while Zahn tallied three and junior goalie Tara Sonnemaker made 10 saves.

Hill was the only multi-goal scorer for CMS (three) while Anello made eight saves in the loss. The Athenas wrap up their 2016 regular season with a 13-4 overall, 8-3 SCIAC record.

Chapman will play the winner of the No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer vs. No. 5 Occidental.

Box Score

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

Sign up for CMS Email Updates
Become a fan of CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
Follow CMS Athletics on Twitter: @AthleticsCMS
Follow CMS Lacrosse on Twitter: @CMSWLax
CMS Athletics on Instagram: cmsathletics
Watch CMS Athletics videos on YouTube: ClaremontMuddScripps
#goathenas    #gostags