HONOLULU – For some reason, whenever the Chaminade University and Dominican University of California men's soccer teams face each other on the field, a down-to-the-wire game is expected.
This year's version was no exception.
The Penguins snapped a scoreless draw in the 71st minute to topple the Silverswords, 1-0, Saturday at Saint Louis Field. The result was the fifth time in the last seven meetings the contests between the two have been decided by a single goal with one tie.
Dominican's Eddie Silverbush had been the 'Swords' primary villain in the previous two meetings, sticking in game-winning goals in the 75th minute in 2019 and in overtime in 2021.
This year, the antagonist was Dominic Galletti, who stuck in a perfectly placed centering pass to once again foil Chaminade's effort. Interestingly, the game-winning assist was made by Nick Van der Waart van Gulik, the younger brother of Silverswords assistant coach Tim Van der Waart van Gulik.
Silverbush attempted three shots in the match but two were stopped by Chaminade goalkeeper
Brandon Yasue (Honolulu/Kaiser) and one was off target.
Although they were held to just five shots, four were taken in the second half. However, DUC's defense stiffened after Galletti's goal, surrendering just two shots late in the game as Chaminade attempted to get the equalizer.
Kevin Yulkowski (Miami/Cutler Bay) took two of Chaminade's shots while Yasue made six saves.
DUC improved to 7-3 and 3-0 in the PacWest, having swept their Hawai'i road trip. CUH fell to 1-4-1 and 1-1 in the conference.
The Silverswords are next in action next Friday when they host in-state rival University of Hawai'i Hilo at the Saint Louis Field pitch. It is a rematch of the Sept. 23 meeting in Hilo, won by the Vulcans. However, Friday's match is a conference match and will also count in the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge standings. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
