Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional soccer season was delayed. But the wait is now over.
After five months of uncertainty, the Chaminade University men's soccer team is finally about to take the pitch. The Silverswords will make their long-await debut Saturday when they face in-city rival Hawai'i Pacific University.
It will also be the long-await debut of first year head coach
Paul Shimomoto who was an assistant in 2019 to
Jayson Abe, the winningest coach in program history who stepped down into an assistant role this year.
The 'Swords will have somewhat of a new look this year. Although they lose Noah Mokulehua, Reece Hambly and Curtis Coburn, they return leading goal-scorer
Colin Roemer (Cologne, Germany/Barton CC/Wirstchaftgymnasium Westerburg). Other scoring returnees including
Takahiro Kosins (Tokyo, Japan/Colorado Mesa/Kalani HS) and
Kelton Cheney (State College, Pa./Penn State/State College HS).
Chaminade also returns
Jamin Fonseca (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Lyric De Leon (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Grand Canyon/Kapolei HS) and
Tyler Ebisuya (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Iolani), all fourth-year seniors who have seen the program grow into Pacific West Conference contenders. All eight seniors on the team have the option to return in the fall, thanks to the NCAA's season-of-eligibility waiver.
Replacing Michael Stafford, the school's career leader in wins and goals against average, will be a tall task. Returnees
Brandon Yasue (Honolulu/Kaiser) and
Clay Ah Soon (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) are in the mix as well as freshman
Stig Sander (Bremen, Germany/Gymnasium un des Hamburgerstraube).
The playing season is condensed down to four games, two each against HPU and the University of Hawai'i Hilo with each school hosting one match against each other.
At least the 'Swords, as well as most of the PacWest, are having a season. With the NCAA announcement of the cancelation of all Division II fall championships, most conferences across the nation are not even competing. The CCAA and most of the GNAC have opted out of playing, leaving the PacWest as the only conference with most of its members participating (Azusa Pacific has opted out).
Following this Saturday's contest, the 'Swords will host their first home match on Saturday, March 27 at Saint Louis Field. Both of Chaminade's home games will be streamed free, courtesy of streaming partner Hawai'i Pacific Health.
