HONOLULU – Expectations couldn't be higher for the Chaminade University men's soccer team.
A year after posting the program's first-ever winning season (6-5-2), the Silverswords are aiming for even higher goals in 2019.
With 19 returnees and nine returning starters – four of whom were named to the All-Pacific West Conference Teams in 2018 – the 'Swords are looking to become a major player in the race for the conference title.
Chaminade's sixth-place finish (5-4-2 PacWest) was the highest since the program became an NCAA sport in 2006. However, despite all the returning talent, there are still those who believe last season's performance was an aberration. The 'Swords were picked to finish in the lower-half in the 12-team league, in eighth-place according to the Preseason PacWest Coaches Poll.
Of course none of what they did in the past guarantees future success. And their work in the three weeks of fall practice will finally be put to the test when the Silverswords open their season in the Rocky Mountains on Friday against Colorado College in Golden, Colo., followed by a Sunday match-up against Metro State in Denver, in a rare non-conference road trip.
It is the first mainland non-conference contest for the program since playing at Cal State East Bay on Sept. 20, 2014. It's also their first outside the state of California since Sept. 2007 when they faced Southwestern and Embry-Riddle in Arizona.
Like they did in 2018, the 'Swords will rely heavily on their defense which is anchored by senior goalkeeper
Michael Stafford (Honolulu/Iowa Western CC/Kalani HS), one of three 2018 All-PacWest selection on the defensive front.
Curtis Coburn (Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach) and
Tasman Turner (Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani) were all-conference defenders last year. Along with the team's third defender,
Lyric De Leon (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Grand Canyon Univ./Kapolei HS), they combined to allow just 1.38 goals per game, the lowest in team history, and third-fewest in the PacWest last year.
"We have a lot of experience in our defense and goalkeeper positions," said fourth-year head coach
Jayson Abe. "I expect our defense to be one of the conference's best again."
But with a great defense, it helps to have a bit of offense too. Last year, the 'Swords scored two or more goals just three times (all wins) and will be looking for more consistent scoring this year.
Noah Mokulehua (Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kaiser), who co-led the team in goals with three, was an all-conference third team selection at midfielder last year. His older brother
Micah Mokulehua (Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kaiser) tied him for the lead in goals while
Tyler Ebisuya (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani) and
Jamin Fonseca (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai`i/Mililani) both had two goals scored.
Reece Hambly (Birmingham, England/Scottsdale CC/Hagley HS), meanwhile, had four assists which tied the program's single-season record.
To help address the offense, the team added several newcomers who had success in finding the back of the net. Junior college transfer
Colin Roemer (Cologne, Germany/Barton CC/Wirtschaftgymnasium Westerburg) had 17 career goals at Barton Community College while freshman
Brison Kim (Honolulu/Kalani) was one of the state of Hawai'i's most prolific high school goal-scorers with 25 goals as a senior at Kalani High School.
"I think we've addressed our needs on the attack by bringing in some talented players who can score goals," Abe said.
The 'Swords also welcome several other talented newcomers including transfers
Kelton Cheney (College Station, Pa./Penn State/State College HS),
Taka Kosins (Tokyo, Japan/Colorado Mesa/Kalani HS) and
Daniel Woo (Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Assumption College/Pearl City HS), along with freshmen
Quinton Brown (El Paso, Texas/Franklin) and
Kekoa Kuloloia (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani).
With more talent entering the fray and with the experience of Coburn and
Micah Mokulehua, both of whom are three-year starters, Chaminade is poised to make a run at its first PacWest title.
"With so many players and depth unlike we've ever had here, I ultimately think the success of this season will be defined by how this group comes together in terms of chemistry, brotherhood and unity," Abe said.
