HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's soccer team wrapped up the 2022 season Saturday with a 2-0 loss to crosstown rival Hawai'i Pacific University, 2-0, at Saint Louis Field.
Justice Valdez accounted for both Shark goals, each coming in the second half.
Although the Silverswords ended the season on a sour note, the team still made some history. At 7-6-3 overall, they finished with the first winning season in program history and tied the single-season wins record set last year. Their 4-3-3 mark in the Pacific West Conference was good enough to finish tied for fifth in the standings, their highest finish ever.
Chaminade bombarded HPU on the attack, firing 18 shots towards goalkeeper Sophia Garrido, six on-goal. By stark contrast, the Sharks took just four shots – all in the first half – but made the most of them thanks for Valdez who had a header off a crossing pass in the 20th minute, then added an insurance goal in the 40th minute, launching a perfectly placed shot from 25 yards out that snuck just under the cross bar.
Following the game, nine seniors were honored after playing their final home games.
Lece Aviles (Aztec, N.M./New Mexico State/Aztec HS),
Gracie Bowers (Murrieta, Calif./California Baptist/Vista Murrieta HS),
Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt),
Laina Jumawan (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle),
Jenna McLean (Snohomish, Wash./Cal State Bakersfield/Glacier Peak HS),
Kira Nishiki (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Hoku Schatz (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Univ. of Idaho/Kahuku HS),
Kyla Takazono (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and
Nicole Vontsolos (San Diego/Scripps Ranch) were each recognized for their contributions.
Bowers led the 'Swords in goals (5) and points (12) this season while Holt departs as one of the all-time leaders in goals (6) and points (14). Takazono ranks among the program leaders in games started with 57 while McLean played her final game, putting a stamp on her career which was marred by a knee injury which cost her nearly three years while attending Cal State Bakersfield. Along with Holt and Takazono, Jumanwan, Nishiki and Vontsolos all played four or five years for the team while Aviles and Bowers were one-year players after transferring from other programs. Schatz was unavailable to play after suffering an injury on the team's recent road trip to Southern California.
HPU ended its season 5-8-3 overall and 4-5-1 in the PacWest.
