Nothing Comes Easy for Chapman

Tough opponents and tough luck have emerged as common themes for the Chapman football team this season.

Fresh off its first victory of the year--24-21 over Menlo last week--Chapman, which plays Division III, goes right back into another buzz saw at 7 tonight, when St. Mary’s, a Division I-AA team from Moraga, visits.

Last season, St. Mary’s administered a 42-29 beating, then the worst loss for Chapman since it reinstated football three years ago.

And Chapman (1-4) also has its injury-depleted squad to deal with.

The Panthers’ starting running back, senior Gabe Baltodano, tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee in last Saturday’s victory and is lost for the season. Punter Mario Acosta (right ankle sprain) also is expected to miss the game.

And three other key players might miss tonight’s game. Their status will be reevaluated at game time.

Starting quarterback Greg Hyland (concussion) and running back Charles Efraim (right knee sprain) were injured against Menlo and senior linebacker Keith Dykes, the team’s leading tackler last season, sat out the last two games because of a sprained left ankle.

St. Mary’s (2-4) has posted 10 consecutive winning seasons and finished 7-3 last season.

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Recharged: The Southern California College women’s soccer team, the highest-scoring squad in the Golden State Athletic Conference, cranked up its offense again last week, posting victories over Concordia, 7-0, and The Master’s, 4-0.

Jamie Gardiner has 12 goals and four assists and Meggen Fleener has eight goals and seven assists for the Vanguards. SCC scored 15 goals in its three victories that followed consecutive shutout losses to conference leaders Westmont and Azusa Pacific.

SCC will get another shot at those teams, hosting Azusa Pacific Oct. 25 and playing at Westmont Oct. 29.