Fall Check-In: Chapman Panthers

For our next installment in the Fall Check-In series, we head west to Orange, California to visit with the Chapman Panthers.  The Panthers are looking to bounce back from a 2025 season that saw them miss both the SLC and MCLA tournaments after being mainstays at both in recent years.  Thanks to Head Coach Joel Kallas for taking the time to share some insights into the program.

To read the prior installments of our Fall Check-in Series click here: Virginia Tech (DI), Florida Atlantic

After being  nationals regulars, you guys were left out last year, but you still managed to win two games against tournament teams and had three 1-2 goal losses against other tournament teams so it seems you weren’t too far away.  Are you all making any significant changes this year to get back to nationals?

Joel Kallas: We knew we had a good team last year and could have easily been a 10-3 team, but in reality, we had young players all over the field and we made way too many mistakes to stay out of our own way.  This year we have the game experience, and we brought in a solid recruiting class.  After one week of practice, we aren't too far behind where we ended off last year so the energy and motivation is high.

How do you all approach Fall Ball?  Do you do a short tryout at the beginning or is it a longer process when it comes to naming your roster?

JK: Although we held tryouts in the past years, we haven't had the tryout roster size to cut.  We mainly said, if you have a good attitude and you want to get better each day, there's a spot for you.  This is the first year in 5+ years where we have a fall ball roster above 42.  We held tryouts last week with the intention of cutting, but we have pushed the tryout process to the whole fall season as we like to see how player develop and if we can move players around to keep a balanced roster.

What are the schedule highlights?  Any big trips or big opponents coming to Orange?

JK: We have a great schedule and are looking forward to all our matchups!

Friday, 2/13/2026 vs CAL

Sunday, 2/15/2026 vs Northeastern

Friday, 2/20/2026 vs TCU

Friday, 2/27/2026 @ Cal Poly

Sunday, 3/1/2026 vsMichigan State

Saturday, 3/7/2026 @ UCSB

Friday, 3/13/2026 vs Oregon

Friday, 3/20/2026 @ CSU / CU-Boulder

Sunday, 3/22/2026 @ CSU/ CU- Boulder

 Have any newcomers stood out so far in Fall Ball?

JK:  Yes, many!

Impact Transfers -

Brody Champion, Attack - Crean Lutheran (CA)/Concordia University Irvine

Keegan Charupoom, Midfield - R.L. Stevenson (CA)/Concordia University Irvine

Brett Enderle, Midfield - Westlake High School (CA) / Moorpark College

Adam Horcasitas, Midfield - St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (CA) / The Mount

Ethan Rosselli, Midfield - Beckman High School (CA)/Concordia University Irvine

Luke Sewell, SSDM - Foothill High School (CA)/Concordia University Irvine

Cole Westphal, Attack - De la Salle (CA) / North Central College

Impact Freshman -

Ben Carvalho, Midfield - Palo Verde High School (NV)

Eric Torre, Faceoff - Menlo-Atherton High School (CA)

Tate Wardell, Midfield - Episcopal High School (VA)

Cooper Dolezal-Sweeney, Midfield - McDaniel High School (OR)

Haris Mirza, Defense/LSM - Oregon Episcopal School (OR)

Aaren Sales, LSM - Oregon Episcopal School (OR)

Colin Sproul, Defense - Temecula Valley High School (CA)

 You all were a pretty young team last year with only nine upperclassmen, have you noticed a shift in the team as all the underclassmen are now a year older?

JK: I touched on this a bit in Q1, but 100% there's a big shift in our team.  What's wild is that we only have 5 seniors this year too.  This is an important senior class as well because they started their career at a high point (SLC Champs beating Concordia & D1 semi loss to VT), experienced back-to-back SLC Championships & early MCLA tournament exit to runner-up UVU, and experienced a low point last year missing the SLC and MCLA tournament.  This senior group has extra motivation to hold everyone accountable so that everything we implemented last year is getting taught & refreshed quickly so we can expand upon our systems and add new systems to our toolbox.  

Even though the outlook looks positive on paper, we need to ensure we control what we can control so we can achieve our goals and not get in our own way.

Coaches, if you'd like your program to be featured in our Fall Check-In series, please email info@mcla.us to receive your questions.