WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – Luck continues to not be on the side of the Chaminade University women's soccer team.
Four instances of bad fortune denied the Silverswords of at least a draw as they fell to their in-city rival Hawai'i Pacific University 1-0, in a non-conference matchup Tuesday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The loss was the second straight for the 'Swords, who fell to 3-2 on the season. The Sharks picked up their first win over the season, improving to 1-3-2.
Instance No. 1 of the fùtbol gods not being in Chaminade's favor was eerily similar to what happened against Cal State East Bay on Sept. 3: After a scoreless first half, the ball found itself in front of the Chaminade net at the 55th minute. With no one being able to control it, HPU's Kalea Ajel headed it into the goal for what proved to be the game's lone score.
Instance No. 2: Just minutes after the HPU goal, the 'Swords had their opportunity at a loose ball in front of the opponent's net. However no Chaminade attacker was able to get a clear shot at the ball as it trickled away and was cleared.
Instance No. 3: Chaminade had a golden opportunity to square game with yet another scrum in front of the HPU goal. After being touched by multiple players at least three times, the ball rolled towards the goal line and was just inches away from being breaking the plane of the line. However a Sharks defender cleared it just in the nick of time.
Instance 4 of bad luck: In the 78th minute, the Silverswords again gained possession where
Gracie Bowers (Murrieta, Calif./California Baptist/Vista Murrieta HS) controlled the ball on the left side of the box. Bowers fired a shot from 20 feet out from the left angle but the ball bounced hard off the right post as HPU once again escaped danger.
Chaminade was the aggressor in the second 45 minutes, taking nine of their 14 shots in the period, nine being on-goal. The 'Swords were able to limit the Sharks to nine shots, six of which were on target.
Bowers attempted a team-high five shots including three which were saved.
Ruby Burroughs (Santa Clarita, Calif./California Baptist/William Hart HS) attempted another three shots for the royal blue and white.
Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt) took two shots for the 'Swords while
Dayna Nishimura (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Tehani Smith (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle),
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) and
Lindsey Wilson (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) each had one shot at the net.
Silverswords keeper
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) made five stops while Sharks goalie Madi DePhillips had seven saves.
A relatively clean match, there were only five total fouls called, three of which were whistled against the home team.
Because the match was a non-conference tilt, it has no bearing on the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge standings. The actual match between the two squads will be on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Saint Louis Field which will also be Senior Day for Chaminade.
The Silverswords will face 15th-ranked University of Hawai'i Hilo in Hilo on Friday, their final non-conference match of the season.
