HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's soccer team opened the season with a 2-0 win over the University of Antelope Valley Thursday at Saint Louis Field.
It's the third time in the past four seasons that the Silveswords made their regular-season debut with a victory, all via clean sheets.
Freshman
Sharon Cain (Honolulu/Kamehameha-Kapalama) found the back of the net just 52 seconds into the second half for her first career goal. The game-winner came after
Caitlin Tatemichi (Honolulu/Roosevelt) found her in the front of the goal on a free kick.
The 'Swords sealed it in the 76th minute when
Nicole Nishiki (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) curled a corner kick which was caught by Pioneers' goalkeeper Anekha Birdi but had enough momentum for the ball to break the plane of the goal line. It was a near-mirror image of Nishki's 2016 goal against Point Loma except the corner this time was attempted from the right side. It was her fourth career goal, tying her for fifth all-time with
Shannon Wright (2011-14) and
Whitney Williams (2008-11).
Meanwhile Chaminade's defense proved stout.
Kirstin Wong (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Aliso Niguel),
Dayna Nishimura (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Bianca Gonzales (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) and
Kyla Takazono (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) provided solid coverage at the center-back spots, allowing just seven UAV shots. Wong, Nishimura and Gonzales, as well as Nishiki, played all 90 minutes.
Brandee Lane (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) made three saves to pick up her fifth career shutout, tying her with
Lauren Ishii (2012-15) in career clean sheets.
The 'Swords took 18 shots, 12 coming in the second half. They also attempted seven corner kicks to Antelope Valley's one.
The Silverswords return to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 15 against intercity rival Hawai'i Pacific University in a non-conference match at Saint Louis Field starting at 1 p.m.
