SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's soccer team started off their only mainland road trip of the season by tying a season-high in shots.
Unfortunately for the Silverswords, the first shot of the game was the one that mattered most as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Dominican University of California at Kennelly Field.
The Penguins got an early corner kick opportunity resulting in Katie Bianchi scoring from 8 yards out amid a sea of blue Chaminade and white Dominican uniforms fronting the net a minute and 40 seconds into the game.
The Silverswords tied their season high by firing off 14 attempts. Ten of them were on target, their highest shots on-goal total since November 2019 and the fourth highest in program history. However, Dominican goalkeeper Jacqueline Catano was there to stop all 10.
The 'Swords fell to 4-6 on the season and 2-4 in the Pacific West Conference while the Penguins improved to 3-6-3 and 2-4-0.
Randi Fontes (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/University of Hawai'i/Pearl City HS) tied season and career highs in both shots (6) and shots on-goal (4) in defeat.
Hoku Schatz (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/University of Idaho/Kahuku HS) took two shots, both on-goal.
After Biachi's goal, Chaminade went on the offensive, firing off six shots, four of which Catano was forced to stop. Their defense also prevented looks at the net; DUC's next shot did not come until the 37th minute.
Then as time began winding down in the game, Fontes had two SOGs while
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) had another but Catano stopped all three.
Chaminade came within inches of the equalizer with just over two minutes remaining but a left-footed smash by
Saige Kalani (Honolulu/Dominican University of California/Pearl City HS) – who played on the very same pitch as a freshman member of the Penguins in 2019 – glanced off the left post despite a diving attempt by Catano.
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) made two saves in taking the loss while Catano got the win despite facing a heavy barrage of 'Swords shots.
The Silverswords return to action Monday against Holy Names. The match will be played at Pioneer Field on the Cal State East Bay campus with kickoff set for 11 a.m. local time, 8 a.m. Hawai'i.
