HONOLULU – Since Chaminade University began fielding women's soccer in 2006, their rivalry with in-city foe Hawai'i Pacific University has been one-sided in favor of the school situated in downtown Honolulu.
However, in 2021 the trend has seen a reversal.
Caili Cain (Honolulu/Kamehameha-Kapalama) powered in her first career goal off a free kick in the 49th minute to lift the Silverswords to a 1-0 win over the Sharks on Saturday at Saint Louis Field.
The non-conference victory evened Chaminade's record to 2-2 on the season while HPU fell to 1-5.
Saturday's win also improved the 'Swords to 2-0-1 against HPU since the calendar flipped to 2021. Prior to Chaminade's victory this past February, the Silverswords had dropped 23 of the previous 24 meetings with the one non-loss being a draw.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the Silverswords found themselves on the attack.
Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt) was brought down just beyond the top of the box just over three minutes into the second half.
Cain lined up for the free kick towards the right angle of the box. Her shot curled past three HPU defenders and goalkeeper Madi DePhillips, just clearing the left post for what would ultimately be the game's lone goal.
"I originally wasn't going to take the kick," Cain said. "I was going to try and finish it but Coach Michelle (Richardson) told me to take the kick. At first, the defensive back line was really close to the ball so I asked for 10 (yards). As soon as they backed up, there was a window that opened up on the left side of the goal. I saw it and knew I was going to hit it in that direction."
Despite leading scorer
Randi Fontes (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/University of Hawai'i/Pearl City HS) missing a majority of the second half, Chaminade's bench played a key role. Cain,
Gracie Knowd (Ramona, Calif./New Mexico State/Ramona HS),
Caitlin Bocobo (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Sacred Hearts Academy),
Jenna McLean (Snohomish, Wash./Cal State Bakersfield/Glacier Peak HS),
Saige Kalani (Honolulu/Dominican, CA/Pearl City HS),
Paige Garcia (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Clark Collrge/Castle HS) and
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) all provided critical minutes in the final 45 minutes.
While Cain's goal was the headline grabber, notable was Kalani playing a season-high 49 minutes while Miranda made her first career appearance and logged 12 minutes. Along with fantastic ball control and their defenders swarming opposing attackers, the 'Swords allowed just three HPU shots in the second half.
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) made four saves to earn the win, the fifth of her career, tying her with Lauren Ishii for the second-most in program history. She also got her recorded her fifth shutout, also tying her with Ishii for No. 2 all-time.
Cain took four of Chaminade's 13 shots while Fontes attempted three, all on-goal.
The Silverswords will get nine days off then open Pacific West Conference action on Monday, Oct. 4 at home against Azusa Pacific.
