Chapman Falls to Cal Lutheran

Chapman took an early lead, but Cal Lutheran rallied to defeat the Panthers, 2-1, in the first round of the NCAA Division III West Regional women’s soccer playoffs Wednesday at Cal Lutheran.

The Regals scored a goal in each half after Chapman’s Jennifer Borrell scored in the third minute.

With the score tied, 1-1, Chapman goalkeeper Catherine Currie left the game in the 69th minute after being accidentally kicked in the head by Cal Lutheran forward Alix Rucinski when both players converged on the ball in front of the goal. Currie, a junior with 11 shutouts this season, never lost consciousness but was held out of the rest of the game as a precaution.

Cal Lutheran (15-6) scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute when forward Alia Khan scored from 17 yards after drawing Chapman’s substitute goalkeeper, Briana Benson, out of position.

Chapman (13-5) had given up just 12 goals going into the game, and had beaten Cal Lutheran, 1-0, in a regular-season game Sept. 20.