HONOLULU – It was a storybook finish for the Chaminade University men's soccer team especially for a four-year senior playing in his final home game.
Davin Garma (Kalaheo, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama), who played 47 collegiate games without experiencing a goal entering Thursday, changed it with one mighty boot in the 86th minute as his first career goal gave the Silverswords a stunning come-from-behind win over Holy Names at Saint Louis Field.
After a Hawks foul, Garma lined up a free kick some 55 yards from the goal, sending the ball towards the 18-foot box. A defender attempted to head the ball out but misplayed it, sailing past HNU goalkeeper Rafael Calderon into the upper-left shelf for the stunning game-winner.
Garma's first career goal completed a stunning comeback for the 'Swords who fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits.
Chaminade's win gave them their record eighth of the season, improving to 8-6 overall to guarantee a second consecutive winning season for the first time ever. They also improved to 6-4 in the Pacific West Conference, setting another record for conference wins while also securing at least an upper-half finish in the conference for a second straight year.
Holy Names fell to 4-11-2 overall and 1-7-2 in the PacWest.
At the start of the game, two seniors,
Jared Rivera (Union City, Calif./Ohlone College/James Logan HS) who's been out after suffering a season-ending knee injury and
Matthew Schmidt (Hanalei, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Technology Academy), who also spent four years on the cross country team but has been more of a scout team player through his career, got their final starts. Schmidt, who had never gotten to start throughout his four years, got to touch the ball one final time before both he and Rivera were subbed out 30 seconds later.
From there, it was all business and HNU took advantage with the game's first goal in the 16th minute. Chaminade tied it on a free kick by
Tyler Ebisuya (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani) from 30 yards out.
HNU retook the lead at 2-1 in the 52nd minute and with precious time winding down,
Reece Hambly (Birmingham, England/Scottsdale CC/Hagley HS) tied it again on a penalty kick in the 80th minute.
That set the stage for Garma's heroics six minutes later.
Michael Stafford (Honolulu/Iowa Western CC/Kalani HS) made one save and got the win for the 'Swords which was his 15th career victory, extending his school record.
Following the game, seniors Garma, Hambly, Rivera, Schmidt, Stafford,
Curtis Coburn (Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach),
Isaiah Kuloloia (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililano),
Micah Mokulehua (Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kaiser) and
Joshua Wong (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Maryknoll) were all honored.
The Silverswords will end the season Saturday at Hawai'i Hilo at the UH Hilo Baseball Stadium. It will also play an important factor in the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge standings. A Chaminade win will give them the first-place points in the men's soccer competition while a Vulcans' win will mean CUH, UH Hilo and Hawai'i Pacific will all share the first-place points.
