THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran was in it until the end, but it wasn't quite enough as it fell to Chapman 19-15 on Wednesday night. 

It was the Regals' first contest in 12 days while the Panthers have played three times in that span. 

It was a strong defensive showing from both squads to open the game, with the Regals (5-6, 1-5) answering each of Chapman's first three goals to take a 4-3 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half. 

The Panthers (4-6, 1-4) ripped off a trio of goals to take a 6-4 lead, before the Regals quickly struck back, retying the game at 6. Chapman responded with three more goals to bring its lead to 9-6. 

With under twenty seconds remaining, a free-position goal from Meg Angus was wiped out after the refs declared her stick illegal, keeping the game at 9-6 going into the break. 

A 4-2 third period in Cal Lutheran's favor, including three points from Malina Diaz, sent the game to the fourth with the Regals down just one. 

After a tough first 10 minutes of the period, the Regals found themselves down 17-12 with about 4:30 remaining. Three unanswered goals from Cal Lutheran sent the game under two minutes down just two, but two Chapman goals with under thirty seconds left proved to be the nail in the coffin en route to the Panthers' first conference win of the season. 

Despite the loss, Diaz, who tallied four goals in the effort, credited the Regals' grit in the final minutes to goalie Bella Bravo for helping communication stay consistent and loud. 

"It starts with our goalie and works up the field. The whole time we're pushing," Diaz said. "It's a group effort. Everyone's always like, 'Let's go defense,' 'Let's go attack.' Even when it starts on the draw, we're all shouting each other out, and that's what keeps us going and keeps us confident," Diaz said. 

The sentiment was echoed by MacEllen McDonough, who said she felt this was one of the Regals' best all around performances of the year. 

"They fought the whole game and that was one of our strongest games from start to finish," McDonough said.

The Regals will travel to Whittier to battle the Poets on the road at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5.