(Photo: Jodi Vosika/ASU Lacrosse)
No. 10 Arizona State fought back in the second half, but eventually fell to No. 1 Chapman 15-11 in Carlsbad, California.
Despite scoring first, ASU could not contain the Chapman offense early on as they tallied nine straight goals to take a 9-1 lead.
ASU finally broke Chapman’s run when freshman attackman Patrick Haviland scored to cut the deficit down to seven goals. However, Chapman would respond with two quick goals before the end of the first half, which made the score 11-2
In the start of the third quarter, ASU’s Finn Wells found the back of the net shortly after the face-off. However, Chapman countered with three goals of their own. The score stood at 14-3 in favor of the Panthers.
Arizona State did not give in as Haviland and sophomore midfielder Tommy Carasco each found the back of the net and cut the Panther lead to nine. However, Chapman’s Dylan Garner notched his sixth goal of the game, making it 15-5.
After Garner’s last goal, the Sun Devils responded in force. Arizona State would score six straight goals, including two from Carasco to complete his hat trick. Freshman attack-man Jake Marthens notched two of his own, while senior midfielder Finn Wells and junior midfielder Adam Beauchamp each netted one of their own.
The ASU comeback fell short as the No. 1 team in the nation moves on to the SLC title game. The Panthers will now await the winner of the game between No. 4 Grand Canyon and No. 12 UCSB.
