ORANGE, Calif.— Chapman men's soccer opened up SCIAC play Saturday evening defeating La Verne 2-1 at home. The Panthers jumped out scoring first within just eight minutes of the game. Leo Wells netted a bomb from the very top of the goalkeeper's box to the top right corner of the net. 

The game proved to be chippy, rather back and forth for the entire first half. Chapman star senior goalkeeper Alex Glynn shined, taking large gambles to keep the ball out of the keeper box throughout the entire half. 

La Verne responded as Kevin Arreola netted a penalty kick with just 30 seconds left in first half of play. That penalty was only a precursor to a chippy second half. 

The Panthers responded in the second half when they needed it most. 55 minutes into the game, Wesley Jackson trapped the ball with his chest as a La Verne defender attempted to clear it out of the box. Jackson, roughly 28 yards out from the goal, trapped it and then kicked the ball, arcing it into the back left corner of the goal. 

Jackson gave Chapman a 2-1 lead they would never relinquish in a tight, chippy win over the Leopards. 

The Panthers will look to build on their momentum in SCIAC play as they head on the road to play Cal Lutheran on Wednesday, Sept. 24.