By Ed Wehde
WSL Special Correspondent

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Connor Martin and Chapman University wasted little time showing why the Panthers were one of the top-ranked MCLA Division I lacrosse teams last season.

Martin scored three times in the opening four minutes to send Chapman on its way to a 18-9 win over UC Santa Barbara in a fall-ball game that was part of the inaugural LXM Pro Tour at Santa Ana Municipal Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“It's fall ball,” Chapman head coach Mike Wood said. “You don't put too much into it, because this game doesn't count for anything, but I'm really pleased with the way we played. I thought we played real well as a team. I think we played good, hard defense, and obviously Connor is a special player.”

Martin totaled eight goals, including all four in the opening quarter for the 2009 and 2008 MCLA Division I national finalists.

The Gauchos closed within 4-2 at the end of the first period on goals by Nate Wellin and Zakk Souza, but Chapman benefited from a pair of man-advantage situations to score the first four goals of the second and regain control.

Martin found the net three more times in the third when the Panthers turned a five-goal halftime advantage into a 17-7 lead.

“They didn't really slide to me as much as I thought they would and I got lucky,” Martin said. “I hit a couple shots I don't normally hit. Sometimes it works out.”

Wellin's two goals led the Gauchos.

“I think we're about where we expected to be,” UC Santa Barbara coach Mario Waibel said. “Being as young as we are, I think it was perfect game to show a lot of our young talent the speed they need to step up to (in order) to play for a national title. It's a great way to finish fall ball, and we'll be ready when the season starts.”