FRESNO, Calif. – The Chaminade University men's soccer team opened their final mainland trip of the season with a 4-1 loss Wednesday to Fresno Pacific at Ramirez Field.
Micah Mokulehua (Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kaiser) found the back of the net in the 59th minute for the Silverswords, his second goal of the season.
The Sunbirds achieved a rarity off 'Swords goalkeeper
Michael Stafford (Honolulu/Iowa Western CC/Kalani HS), scoring twice in the first 27 minutes. It's the first time since Oct. 5 that the junior surrendered two goals in a match.
Chaminade fell to 3-5-2 overall and 2-4-2 in the Pacific West Conference. Fresno Pacific, ranked sixth in the NCAA West Region rankings released earlier Wednesday, improved to 11-2-1 and 6-2.
The Silverswords found themselves down 2-0 at halftime but Mokulehua got the 'Swords to within a score early in the second half. However Joao Ravaiso scored an insurance goal for the Sunbirds in the 71st minute.
Reece Hambly (Birmingham, England/Scottsdale CC/Hagley HG) led the 'Swords in shots taken with three.
Jaewon Huh (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) and
Tyler Ebisuya (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani) each attempted two. Mokulehua's goal gave him two on the year, tying him with
Jamin Fonseca (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) for the team lead in goals. He also tied his younger brother
Noah Mokulehua (Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kaiser) and Fonseca for the team's points lead with four.
Stafford had a career-high 11 saves in facing 28 shots. Fresno Pacific's Patrick Timmer made two stops and faced 12 shots to earn the win.
The Silverswords return to the pitch Saturday at Holy Names.
