HONOLULU – There is much optimism surrounding this year's Chaminade University men's soccer team.
Despite losing 13 letterwinners from last year's squad, including the second- and third-leading scorers in program history, the Silverswords feel that they have the pieces to once again be competitive in the Pacific West Conference.
The 'Swords will get their first test Tuesday in their season opener in Laie against BYU-Hawai'i in a non-conference game at 12:30 p.m.
"We have more newcomers than returnees with 11 returnees and 13 new players," first-year head coach
Jayson Abe said. "With a new coaching staff and a lot of new and young players, coming together as a team will be critically important."
Of the returning 'Swords, only four remain from the 2014 squad that won a school-record six games. Goalkeeper
Bernd Buescherhoff, midfielders
Edward Cordasco III and
Mitchell Fasolo and defender
Avinash Singh were members of that team with Buescherhoff, Fasolo and Singh each playing significant roles the last two seasons.
Only five other Silverswords who played at least 10 games last year are back including starters
Guilherme Aires (two goals in 2015),
Tyler Braunthal (goal, assist) and
Jaewon Huh.
Kevin Anderson,
Cody Kuge,
Dane Nitta and
Alex Pak are the other returnees.
Along with the 11 returnees, Abe also brought in several newcomers who should provide immediate help but also ensure the future of the program looking bright.
Ten of the 13 newcomers are freshmen whom Abe says will be playing significant minutes. Among them are
Curtis Coburn,
Jeron Cunningham,
Davin Garma,
Isaiah Kuloloia,
Micah Mokulehua,
Hunter Mullican and
Joshua Wong who were part of the latest recruiting class.
Meanwhile
Dane Johnson is a transfer from Division III Lycoming College and is among a trio who is challenging Buescherhoff for the keeper's spot.
Yoshinori Tamukai is community college transfer as he helped Peninsula College in Washington state to a conference championship.
"We will be a very young squad and have a lot of work to do but I'm pleased to see how things are coming together," said Abe, who is Chaminade's fifth coach in as many years. "I'm especially pleased with the team's commitment and passion to get better and push each other at our training sessions."
With the number of newcomers and a 1-14-1 finish last year, it was probably no surprise that the 'Swords were picked to finish dead last in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll that was released in August. But they have also have a favorable schedule which sees six of the top nine teams in the poll visiting Saint Louis Field, including Point Loma, Azusa Pacific, California Baptist and defending PacWest champ Dixie State.
The Silverswords have also worked relentlessly on a hustle mentality during fall practices.
"Our squad has bought into the idea that hard work beats talent and that we will never be outworked," Abe said. "With only four seniors, the future of Chaminade men's soccer looks bright."
