HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's soccer team opened Pacific West Conference action Monday with a 2-0 defeat to nationally ranked Azusa Pacific at Saint Louis Field.
The game was a defensive struggle in the first half until Marco Astorga broke the ice with a goal in the 54th minute. James Ndubueze put the game away for the No. 5 Cougars with a goal in the 89th minute.
Chaminade (2-3 overall, 0-1 PacWest) was held to six shots on the afternoon, two by
Colin Roemer (Cologne, Germany/Barton CC/Wirstchaftgymnasium Westerburg).
Jamin Fonseca (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani), Zack McClellan (San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos),
Brison Kim (Honolulu/Kalani) and
Christopher TenBroeke (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) all took one shot each for the Silverswords. Fonseca's, McClellan's and TenBroeke's shots were on-goal.
Astorga's game-winning goal came after capturing a loose ball near midfield, dribbled to the left side of the box where he fired a shot into the lower-right corner.
APU then played keep-away after Astroga's score, keeping possession for the majority of the second half. Late in the game with the 'Swords attempting to steal back possession, Astorga pushed a ball to Ndubueze to the left side of the box where he found back of the net for the insurance goal.
Brandon Yasue (Honolulu/Kaiser) made six saves in suffering the loss. Leo Moreno earned the win for Azusa Pacific which ended its Hawai'i road trip 6-1-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the PacWest.
The Silverswords return to action Sunday when they face intercity rival Hawai'i Pacific University at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium at 5 p.m. Unlike the Sept. 4 battle which was a non-conference tilt, Sunday's match is a conference game with a point of the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge on the line. Fans are reminded that they are prohibited from attending the match.
