LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A late first-half flurry allowed the Chaminade University women's soccer team on Monday to cruise past New Mexico Highlands, 5-1, to complete an undefeated road trip to start the 2022 campaign.
Ruby Burroughs (Santa Clarita, Calif./California Baptist/William Hart HS),
Caili Cain (Makakilo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama),
Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt) and
Lela Gi (Las Vegas/Liberty) each found the back of the net as the Silverswords tied the program record for goals set last November at Holy Names.
The win improved the 'Swords to 3-0, the best start in team history and also put them three games above .500 for the first time in the 17-year existence of the program. Remove the forfeit against Hawai'i Hilo in the 2021 season finale, the Silverswords have won six straight on-field matches, all coming on the road.
Chaminade essentially put the match away with three goals in the final 16 minutes of the first half. In the 29th minute, Burroughs took the ball away from a Cowgirls defender at the top of the box, then chipped a shot past NMHU goalkeeper Isabella Ortiz for the game's first score.
Eight minutes later,
Hoku Schatz (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Univ. of Idaho/Kahuku HS) delivered a crossing pass to Cain who found the lower-right shelf to put Chaminade up by two goals. The 'Swords completed the team hat trick when Gi scored her first collegiate goal with under a minute left in the half.
New Mexico Highlands got on the board 89 seconds into the second half but Holt answered with a left-footed goal at the 54th minute, crossing up a defender just inside the box in the process for a 4-1 lead.
The 'Swords then put the capper with their record-tying goal on a breakaway from Gi – her second of the game – in the 89th minute.
Chaminade out-shot Highlands, 18 to 6, with 12 shots on-goal and limiting the Cowgirls to just one first-half shot.
Kira Nishiki (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) came off the bench and took a team-high four shots while three other 'Swords took two including
Lece Aviles (Aztec, N.M./New Mexico State/Aztec HS) who played all 90 minutes in the return to her home state.
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) needed just two saves to pick up the win. Ortiz took the loss for NMHU.
The Silverswords return home and will put their 3-0 record on the line when they face Cal State East Bay this Saturday in their home debut at Saint Louis Field. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
