ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Chaminade University women's soccer team opened Pacific West Conference action with a 5-1 loss to Dixie State Thursday at Solar Energy Stadium.
The Trailblazers (5-1, 1-0 PacWest) stunned the Silverswords (1-3, 0-1), who is on their first road trip of the year, with four first-half goals. It was also the 'Swords' first game in 11 days.
Bianca Gonzales (Kapolei, Hawai'i/Kapolei) accounted for Chaminade's goal, gaining possession of the ball in the 58
th minute. Gonzales beat a defender one-on-one some 10 yards in front of the Trailblazers' goal and tapped the ball past reserve keeper Sarah Beecher into the net. It was her team-leading second goal of the season.
The Silverswords managed eight shots, six on-goal with
Bree Chang (Aloha, Ore./Aloha) took a career-high five shots, four on-goal.
Brandee Lane (Kaneohe, Hawai'i/Castle) recorded 10 saves for Chaminade while Felicity Tarr got the win for DSU.
Darian Murdock, the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year, tallied a hat trick for the Trailblazers while Jamie Iurato scored twice.
Barring any non-conference or postseason meetings, it was the 15
th and final contest between the two programs, which had been playing each other since 2007. Dixie State is leaving the PacWest to join the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference starting next season.
Chaminade is at Azusa Pacific on Saturday.
