FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANTHERS FISH OUT THREE WINS IN OPENING WEEKEND

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women’s water polo team opened the season with three wins and a loss in its own Chapman Tournament at Orange High School over the weekend. The Panthers – ranked no. 9 in Division III – outscored their opponents by 14 goals in their first three games, only to fall by one goal to rival Occidental College in tournament finale on Sunday afternoon.

Game 1: Chapman 17, Fresno State 10
Chapman earned its first win Saturday in a 17-10 victory over Fresno State University. Junior All-American Jennifer Manship scored eight goals to lead the Panthers’ offense. Sophomore Ronda Cicchillo and junior Taylor Smith solidified the Chapman defense combining for 12 steals.

Game 2: Chapman 10, Grove City (N.J.) 4
Manship again led the offense scoring five goals to help Chapman defeat No. 10-ranked Grove City. Senior Haley Slusser and sophomore Brittney Koski both contributed a pair of goals. Freshman goalie Celia Huling made 11 saves and added three steals in net.

Game 3: Chapman 4, Oregon (Club) 3
Chapman opened play Sunday with a tight 4-3 win against Oregon’s club team, which entered the game ranked No. 3 in the nation amongst club teams. Manship scored three of the Panthers’ four goals while Cicchillo led the defense with seven steals.

Game 4: Occidental 8, Chapman 7
The finale featured another top-10 battle of two tournament unbeatens: the Panthers vs. No. 8-ranked 3-0 Occidental. Huling was solid in the cage with 15 blocks, but a late Oxy goal clinched an 8-7 Tigers’ victory. Manship scored five goals for the Panthers in the loss and finished with 21 goals in the four games.

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