HONOLULU – The one attribute of soccer is just one shot can be the difference in a game.
That certainly held true Monday as the Chaminade University women's soccer team opened Pacific West Conference action with a 1-0 win over Azusa Pacific at Saint Louis Field.
Caili Cain (Makakilo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) rocketed a free kick just beyond the box just 93 seconds in the contest – the third-fastest goal in team history – and the Silverswords' defense did the rest, holding the Cougars to without a score in the final 88 minutes and 28 seconds.
The 'Swords managed to defeat APU for the first time in team history on their ninth try. And they took only two shots to do so. Meanwhile their defense managed to stave off a slew of Cougar shots throughout the contest.
The Silverswords improved to 3-2 on the year and won their conference opener for the third consecutive season.
Azusa Pacific's Gianna Ocello was whistled for a foul just above the box in the second minute. Like she did in the 'Swords' previous game against Hawai'i Pacific, Cain took the free kick and curled it past the line of defenders, hitting it into the upper-left shelf.
Little did anyone know but a shot from
Randi Fontes (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/University of Hawai'i/Pearl City HS) in the 17th minute represented Chaminade's final look at the net for the game.
Instead, the 'Swords' defense came through, surviving 13 shot attempts including eight on-goal. APU's best chance to tie the game came in the 25th minute when defender
Tehani Smith (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) made a kick-save off a shot by Katie Prado's shot just in front of the net.
Chaminade's defense clamped down in the second half, allowing just four Cougars shots in the final 45 minutes.
Goalkeeper
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) earned the win, the seventh of her career and her sixth career clean sheet, moving her to within one win of tying Brandee Lane's career wins record and two from Lane's shutout record. Her seven saves also gave her 123 in her career, moving her past Michelle Halloran for fourth all-time.
The Silverswords return to action Sunday when they face Hawai'i Pacific University at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Fans are reminded that HPU is not allowing spectators at the games until restrictions are lifted.
