Men's soccer earns No. 2 ranking in West Region poll

ORANGE, Calif. – The first men's soccer regional rankings from the NCAA were released on Wednesday and Chapman University is currently No. 2 in the West Region. The Panthers are 9-3-2 this season with four regular season matches remaining.

Chapman opened the season 5-0 – its best start since 1995 – and is currently unbeaten over its past five matches (3-0-2). The Panthers are ranked behind Trinity (Texas) for the top spot in the West. Those two teams met in San Antonio last month with the Tigers handing Chapman a lop-sided 8-0 loss. The Panthers are also ranked one spot ahead of Redlands, which Chapman defeated 1-0 in double-overtime early in the season.

The Panthers last reached the NCAA postseason in 2009 as an Independent (Pool 'B') selection. This year – as a provisional SCIAC member – Chapman will receive postseason consideration as a Pool 'C' (conference at-large) school.

Chapman has been led this season by junior F Mauricio Alfonso who ranks No. 32 in Division III with an average of 0.8 goals per game. The forward has 10 goals and 25 points in 12 games this season.

The Panthers play their next two games in Santa Cruz this weekend before returning home to host UC Santa Cruz on Oct. 28 and La Sierra on Oct. 30.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

NCAA Regional Rankings: http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d3