HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's soccer team on Tuesday got back on the winning track with a 1-0 decision over Fresno Pacific at Saint Louis Field.
Owen Caba (West Linn, Ore./West Linn) accounted for the game's only score, converting a penalty kick just under six minutes in.
The Silverswords, who got their first shutout of the season, improved to 2-5-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the Pacific West Conference, snapping a three-match winless streak that also included a tie.
Despite taking 12 shots, the Sunbirds were blanked for the eighth time this season as they fell to 2-9-2 overall and 0-5-1 in the PacWest.
The tone of the match was set early with three totals fouls in the first five minutes. Then with 39:11 showing on the scoreboard clock, Caba was taken down just inside the box, leading to his penalty kick. The freshman calmly converted the kick for his team-leading third goal of the season.
It was also Caba's third consecutive match with a goal, tying the program record set by Noah Mokulehua and Nicolas Ferro, the latter whom accomplished it twice during the 2014 season.
Chaminade managed to keep FPU out of the net, thanks to goalkeeper
Brandon Yasue (Honolulu/Kaiser) who made two first-half saves including a diving stop on a shot attempt by Lucas Ribeiro in the 25th minute.
The 'Swords withstood nine shots by the Sunbirds in the final 45 minutes with Yasue making four saves. While Chaminade took just three second-half shots, they were able to disrupt FPU from getting clean breaks on the attack.
The 'Swords totaled seven shots in the game with Caba taking three,
Kevin Yulkowski (Miami/Cutler Bay),
Ian Inigo (Houston/Bridgeland),
Remo Merlo (Reno, Nev./Remo) and
Daniel Jebri (Modesto, Calif./Davis Senior) each taking one. Fresno Pacific took 14 shots led by Ribeiro's three.
Yasue made six total saves to earn his fifth career win and third career clean sheet. The Sunbirds' Elmer Carballo made one save to take the loss.
The Silverswords wrapped up their five-match home stand and will take to the road this week. The 'Swords open their four-match Southern California road trip Saturday at Azusa Pacific. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. Hawai'i time.
