Stags defeat Chapman 1-0 in Playoff opener

Pre-Game CoverageBy Ari Zyskind and Tristan Fitch

The two team's season's couldn't have come to a more different end. After losing to visiting La Sierra University, Chapman was forced to sweat out the week, waiting to hear if their 11-4-3 record was good enough to get an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament.  CMS's, however, came to a close with a shoot-out win over the Bulldogs, at Redlands.  Having lost to their SCIAC rivals twice in the regular season, CMS overcame a second half 1-0 deficit by promptly evening the score within the next 2 minutes of play.  After moving to the second overtime, CMS's keeper Ricky Doar (CMC '12) blocked a PK with only 2:30 left.  In penalty kicks Doar was equally spectacular, blocking 2 of 4 to give CMS the win, 2-1 (4-2).

While Chapman has only outshot their opponents 253-244, the Panthers made the most of it, defeating #13 ranked Redlands 1-0 and Puget Sound (10-6) by a score of 1-0.  Up top, they rely on Mauricio Alfonso, who leads the team with 12 goals, 4 assists, and 34 shots. No other player on the team has scored more than 4 goals, but they have had 12 different players score goals.  On defense, Chapman has been as impressive with keeper Jimmy Adranly posting a .795 save percentage and only allowing more than three goals once, on a trip to Texas, where they lost to the #5 ranked Trinity 8-0.

CMS has thrived on a tight defense with a speedy offense lead by junior strikers Harrison Doyle (CMC '13) and Jared Bernstein (CMC ' 13) that has the ability to score anytime; over the 20 games the Stags have played, they've scored 4 or more goals 8 times, winning each of those games.  On defense, Doar has been excellent and Zach Doran (CMC '13) anchors the back line.

Both teams have shown the ability to compete in this region and we expect both to give it their all as they aim for the region finals which will be played tomorrow against the winner of the Pacific Lutheran - Redlands matchup.

The game will be at 7:30 at Farquhar field at the University of Redlands. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $3 for students or seniors, and $2 for children under the age of 12.

Live Coverage

The broadcast will begin ten minutes before kickoff at 7:20 PM brought to you by Ari Zyskind (CMC '12) and Tristan Fitch (HMC '15). Make sure to catch all the action, live, right here!