HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's soccer team returned to the friendly confines of Saint Louis Field Thursday and nearly pulled out a come-from-behind win against Notre Dame de Namur.
Instead they settled for a 3-3 draw against the Argonauts in blustery conditions that saw wind speeds at 21 miles per hour at kickoff with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
Bianca Gonzales (Kapolei, Hawai'i/Kapolei),
Breanna-Leigh Bactista (Mililani, Hawai'i/Mililani) and
Jordan Taboniar (Anahola, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) each found the back of the net for the Silverswords as the tie gave them a 3-8-1 overall mark, 2-6-1 in the Pacific West Conference.
NDNU is 6-6-2 and 3-4-2.
The Argos struck first at the 5:27 mark but the 'Swords replied just 28 seconds later.
Caitlin Tatemichi (Honolulu/Roosevelt) fired a free kick towards the goal where
Brianna Hernandez (Islip Terrace, N.Y./Iona College) got the ball to Gonzales who tapped into the net for her third goal of the season. The double-assist was also Tatemichi's second and Hernandez's first. The goal at the 5:55 mark is the third-fastest in program history.
NDNU took the lead again at the 37
th minute but Chaminade got the equalizer a minute later. An Argos defender whiffed on a clear-out and Bactista took advantage, taking the ball and pushing it into the net to for her first career goal, tying the match at 2 which the score remained at the half.
The 'Swords took their first lead of the game in the 63
rd minute.
Nicole Nishiki (Mililani, Hawai'i/Mililani) whipped a throw-in towards the net where Taboniar was waiting. She fired it past NDNU goalkeeper Abigail Cebrero for her first goal of the year, giving Chaminade a 3-2 lead.
But NDNU battled back as Ellie Mujushi dribbled down the right side of the field then fired a shot for the tying score at the 81
st minute.
Neither team was able to capitalize in the both OT sessions but both earned a point in the conference standings for the draw.
'Swords keeper
Brandee Lane (Kaneohe, Hawai'i/Castle) made six saves while Cebrero had five.
The three goals by the 'Swords gave them 15 goals on the season, surpassing the program's previous mark of 13 set in 2011. Tatemichi's assist also gave her 26 career points, tying her atop the all-time points list with Twyla Hamasaki (2012-15).
Chaminade took a season-high 17 shots, nine being on-goal. Taboniar had four shots while Tatemichi,
Cami Keli'inui (Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) and
Cierra Toledo-Muragin (Hilo, Hawai'i/Waiakea) had three each.
The Silverswords return to the Saint Louis Field pitch Monday when they face Dominican University of California at 10 a.m.
