HONOLULU – 2016 has already proved to be the Year of the Underdog globally in the sport of soccer. This past spring, Leicester City overcame 5,000-to-1 odds and near relegation to win the its first-ever Premier League title. Then over the summer, tiny Iceland became a world-wide sensation by not only qualifying for its first major tournament but reaching the quarterfinals of the Euro Championship.
Chaminade University women's soccer head coach
Michelle Richardson is hoping to keep the theme going in the fall as the Silverswords prepare for the 2016 season which gets underway Tuesday against Cal State Dominguez Hills at Saint Louis Field.
"It's been an incredible year of underdog triumphs in soccer," Richardson said. "We hope to be the next small but mighty underdog to experience success."
The 2016 version of the Silverswords has a near-even balance of returnees and newcomers. Fourteen veterans return from last year's squad which was ravaged by injuries while there are 13 who are new to the program.
The 'Swords do have major question marks heading into new season. Three of the top players in program history departed after stellar careers.
Twyla Hamasaki, the program's all-time leader in points (27) and goals (11), is gone as is
Lauren Ishii, who set goalkeeper marks in wins (5), shutouts (5) and consecutive minutes played (5,841:59) and four-year starter
Kristen Fujinaga.
However, several starters are back including forward
Lauren Uehara who led the team in points and goals. Also back are three more starters (
Jana Kakugawa,
Nicole Nishiki and
Shyann Moriguchi) who were lost due to season-ending injuries, key reasons for the team's 1-16 (0-13 Pacific West Conference) mark in 2015.
And due to those injuries, several players who normally would've seen less minutes were pressed into action early. However, the trade-off was the experience gained by fire instead of on the practice field as five of last year's freshman class saw action in at least 14 contests.
"We've added some great new competitive players to the team," Richardson said. "We believe they will add to our existing talent to create a cohesive, competitive team."
Along with the returnees, there are several new additions that could provide immediate help to the youthful 'Swords including Hawai'i products
Cami Keliinui and
Cierra Toledo-Muragin.
Chaminade will also have someone else minding the net other than Ishii for the first time since 2011.
Brandee Lane is the lone player with experience although injuries forced her to see action in nine contests with seven starts in the field. Lane is joined by newcomers
Rachel Arakawa,
Tierra Bush and
Majorlyn McMillan who will vie for the starting keeper spot.
"This year's team arrived on campus with a new conviction," Richardson said. "The team is determined to have a better year than last. I believe they are capable of great things in the year to come. I look forward to watching them achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations."
