WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University women's soccer team finally got to play in the state of Hawai'i's most famous soccer pitch on Saturday.
Unfortunately the Silverswords couldn't take advantage of the rare opportunity at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Hawai'i Pacific University.
HPU's Ebony Madrid scored the game's lone goal coming in the game's 36th minute.
It was the first time ever that the 'Swords got to play in the stadium which is widely considered to be the best field in the state. It was also the program's first-ever night game on O'ahu.
Following Madrid's goal, Chaminade's defense clamped down the remainder of the first half, allowing just two HPU shots in the final six minutes before halftime.
The 'Swords had several attempts to square the game in the second half. Their best chance was in the 62nd minute when a CUH free kick was headed by
Caitlin Tatemichi (Honolulu/Roosevelt) just 10 feet from the net. However, HPU keeper Lauren Spencer made a spectacular leaping save and somehow kept herself from rolling past the goal line when she hit the ground, denying Tatemichi of the score.
Chaminade had another look in the 72nd minute when
Breanna-Leigh Bactista (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) fired a shot with just a single defender between her and Spencer. However the ball deflected off the Sharks defender, keeping the royal blue and white off the scoresheet. The 'Swords had one more shot but an attempt by
Sharon Cain (Honolulu/Kamehameha-Kapalama) from 30 yards out was just high of the crossbar by mere inches with 10 minutes remaining.
Randi Fontes (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i-Manoa/Pearl City HS) led the Silverswords with five shots, four on-goal and ends the year as the team's top goal-scorer with four. Bactista had two shots.
For defender
Kirstin Wong (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Aliso Niguel), it was her 21st consecutive start – and 31 of her last 32 – where she was not subbed out. Bactista,
Alyssa Tanigawa (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle),
Jordan Taboniar (Anahola, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) and
Tehani Smith (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) also played the full 90 minutes.
Chaminade keeper
Brandee Lane (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) made 11 saves in her final game and departs as the program's all-time leader in wins, shutouts and goals against average.
It also marked the end of a remarkable career for Tatemichi who wraps her career as the program's top offensive player and holds career records for points (33) and goals (15).
In addition to Land and Tatemichi, Tanigawa and
Bianca Gonzales (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) also saw their final action.
Megan Mararagan (Honolulu/Kalani) and
Nicole Nishiki (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) were also wearing their uniforms for the final time although both suffered season-ending injuries earlier in the year and could not play.
The Silverswords ended the season 1-12-1 and 0-10-1 in the PacWest. HPU finishes 6-6-6 and 4-3-4.
