WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 non-conference loss to Hawai'i Pacific University in the season openers for both teams Saturday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The Sharks capitalized on two Silverswords' defensive breakdowns for goals in a four-minute span.
Luiz Garcia had the first goal for HPU (1-0) while Jair Espinoza had the second.
Despite the rough first-half stretch, the 'Swords (0-1) settled down and played a cleaner final 45 minutes.
Chaminade goalkeeper
Michael Stafford (Honolulu/Iowa Western CC/Kalani HS) who redshirted last year, made his debut as a 'Sword, making four saves and nearly had another on Espinoza's goal, missing the ball by inches as he made a diving attempt for the stop.
Curtis Coburn (Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach) attempted two shots for Chaminade while
Tyler Ebisuya (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani),
Jamin Fonseca (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Reece Hambly (Birmingham, England/Scottsdale CC/Hagley HS) and
Davin Garma (Kalaheo, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) each attempted shots.
The 'Swords did manage to attempt nine corner kicks to HPU's one.
The Silverswords will get 19 days off and play at home for the first time this season against Azusa Pacific in the Pacific West Conference opener at Saint Louis Field.
