HONOLULU – The season opener on Saturday for the Chaminade University and Hawai'i Pacific University women's soccer teams was under strange circumstances indeed.
First: The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the start of traditional fall season back nearly six months to the spring.
Second: Because of gathering rules, there were no fans in attendance.
Third: The Silverswords played on their home pitch at Saint Louis Field despite being designated the visiting team since the Sharks' home field at Waipio Penninsula Soccer Stadium is closed in addition to unplayable conditions at HPU's former home pitch of Atherton Field in Kaneohe.
Despite all the unfamiliarity with the circumstances, the 'Swords found a way to accomplish a feat that had not be done in over a decade.
Chaminade scored two second half goals, one from a newcomer and another from a very familiar face, to lift them to a 2-1 win.
Jenna McLean (Snohomish, Wash./Cal State Bakersfield/Glacier Peak HS) found the back of the net in the 58th minute followed by the game-winner from
Randi Fontes (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i/Pearl City HS) nine minutes later to give the 'Swords their first win over their in-city rivals since Sept. 6, 2008.
The 'Swords found themselves down early when Brittny Ihara went top-shelf on a free kick just outside the box in the 10th minute.
Down by the single goal at the half, McLean got Chaminade's answer in the 58th minute, also going top shelf, a feel-good moment for the senior who scored her first-ever collegiate goal. McLean had lost nearly three years while recovering from a 2017 injury while at Division I Cal State Bakersfield before transferring to CUH.
In the 67th minute, it was Fontes, the Silverswords' two-time All-Pacific West Conference forward, who curled a corner kick over the wall and HPU goalkeeper Makinna Fisher for her ninth career goal.
Naomi Takata (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) made three saves to earn her fourth career win. Fisher took the loss for HPU. Meanwhile Chaminade's defense held the Sharks (0-1 PacWest) to eight shots.
Fontes took four of the 'Swords 12 shots and half of the team's six shots on-goal.
Michele Bonifacio (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei),
Sharon Cain (Honolulu/Kamehameha-Kapalama) and
Lindsey Wilson (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) attempted two each.
The Silverswords (1-0 PacWest) will make their official home debut next Saturday against the University of Hawai'i Hilo at Saint Louis Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
