Chapman snaps Banana Slugs' spell

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University men's soccer team defeated rival U.C. Santa Cruz for the first time since 2002, 3-0 at Wilson Field on Saturday afternoon. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Banana Slugs and improved the Panthers' home record to 7-2 this season.

Chapman (11-4) scored twice in the second half, including one goal on a penalty kick, to give the Panthers their fourth win in their past six matches. Chapman's defense was solid once again, posting its seventh team shutout of the season. Sophomore GK Tyler Hadzinsky made six saves for the Panthers and earned his third shutout.

Junior MF Jeff Shah got the Panthers on the board first with a goal at 9:39 in the first half. Shah scored for the third time this season when he knocked the ball past Slugs' GK Matt Mahowald after receiving a pass in front of the net from junior F Alex Sewitz.

Leading 1-0 at halftime, Chapman - ranked No. 10 in the West Region - struck quickly after the break. Junior F Anthony Keto pounced on a rebound that Mahowald had saved and found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season in the 48th minute.

The Panthers added an insurance goal on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute by sophomore F Dalton Sweaney. Sweaney leads the team with five goals and 15 points this season.

Chapman is assured its second winning season in the past three years and with one more victory, can reach 12 wins for just the second time in nine years.