Chapman Misses Soccer Playoffs

The Chapman men’s and women’s soccer teams received bad news from the NCAA Sunday night: Neither team was picked to play in the Division III playoffs.

The Chapman women (12-6) lost to UC San Diego, 3-2, Sunday, which likely ended the Panthers’ chances of being picked. San Diego (11-0-3) was the only team from California to get a playoff spot.

The Panther men’s team beat Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2-0, Sunday. Chapman Coach Gregg Murphy believed Chapman’s strength of schedule would help earn it the bid despite a 10-4-3 record.

Chapman beat Division I UC Santa Barbara and was 1-1-1 in games against Division II opponents. UC San Diego (11-6-1) and Claremont-Mudd (15-2-1), teams that Chapman tied, each received playoff berths.

“Claremont had a better record than us, but their schedule wasn’t nearly as strong,” Murphy said.

Both Chapman teams will complete their seasons by playing host to Cal Poly Pomona today.