Chapman Loses Key Women’s Soccer Game

In a game that carried playoff ramifications and featured two nationally ranked teams, Cal Lutheran edged Chapman, 2-1, in nonconference women’s soccer Monday at Chapman.

Chapman’s Sara Stratton scored an unassisted goal in the ninth minute to give the Panthers an early lead.

But Cal Lutheran, ranked 13th in the nation in Division III, got goals from Bri Gruszka and Kim Holeman early in the second half to take control.

The Panthers are ranked 21st in the nation, the highest ranking in the college’s history. Chapman (10-2-1) is also ranked third in the West Region and Cal Lutheran (10-3) is ranked second. The top two teams in the region automatically qualify for the playoffs.

Friday, Chapman plays at UC San Diego, top ranked in the nation and the West Region.

In nonconference men’s soccer:

Cal Lutheran 4, Chapman 1--Cal Lutheran, ranked third in the West Region, scored two goals in the final three minutes to break it open against fourth-ranked Chapman in a physical game that featured seven yellow cards and 51 fouls.

The top four ranked teams automatically qualify for the Division III playoffs.

Chapman (10-3-1) pulled within 2-1 when Mike Sterner scored his 16th goal in the 76th minute. But Oskar Kantoft scored in the 87th minute and Dharma Clement scored a minute later for Cal Lutheran (9-2-1).

Chapman goalie Paul Gerdis had given up only three goals in 12 previous games.

In Golden State Athletic Conference women’s soccer:

Biola 2, Concordia 0--Becky Polk scored two goals in the first 37 minutes for visiting Biola (9-4-1, 2-3), which outshot Concordia (1-13, 0-8), 25-5.

In nonconference women’s volleyball:

UC Irvine 3, Pennsylvania 0--Teri Zartman had 47 assists for host Irvine, which won, 15-12, 15-9, 15-13. Larissa Carter, a freshman from Fountain Valley High, had 13 kills for the Anteaters (5-12).