EDITOR'S NOTE: On Nov. 9, Fresno Pacific changed the ruling of goal scorer.
FRESNO, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's soccer team continued to defy the odds.
Caili Cain (Makakilo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) headed in a ball off a free kick in the 14th minute and the Silverswords' defense did the rest as they fought and scrapped their way to a 1-0 win Saturday against Fresno Pacific at Ramirez Field.
This despite being short-handed for the second match in a row.
Chaminade ended its Northern California road trip with three straight wins – a program record– and improved to 7-6 overall and 5-4 in the Pacific West Conference. They also insured themselves of at least a .500 season for the first time in program history.
It was the 'Swords' first-ever victory over the Sunbirds (3-10, 3-5 PacWest), who saw their three-match win streak halted.
Following a Fresno Pacific foul just inside the halfway line,
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) sent a free kick towards the goal where the ball sailed over several defenders, where Cain redirected the ball over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Brigitta Eggertsdottir. The ball just cleared the crossbar inside the upper-right shelf.
Chaminade's defense then made it stand with goalkeeper
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) making four saves in tallying her fourth clean sheet of the season while Cain's goal was her third game-winner of the year.
Four of the 'Swords' seven shots were on-goal with
Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt) taking a team-high three, one being on-goal. Cain took two shots on-goal and
Caitlin Bocobo (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Sacred Hearts Academy) took one that was on target but saved by Eggertsdottir.
The Silverswords will end their season next Saturday at the University of Hawai'i Hilo where an upset over the PacWest-contending Vulcans would give them their first-ever winning season.
