HILO, Hawai'i – For the second time in four days, the Chaminade University women's soccer team had a chance to get a final pre-conference tune-up against an in-state rival.
After facing Hawai'i Pacific University on Tuesday, the Silverswords on Friday took on their other rival in the University of Hawai'i Hilo.
Playing on the newly refurbished UH Hilo Soccer Field which features an artificial surface, the 'Swords came away on the short end of a 2-0 loss to the Vulcans, the 15th-ranked team in the nation.
UH Hilo capitalized on an error just six minutes into the game when Chaminade attempted to clear the ball just outside its own net. However the ball was mis-hit and Daelenn Tokunaga was at the right place at the right time, tapping in a left-footed shot toward the net which was deflected by a defender and into the net.
(Editor's note: The initial official ruling was an own goal but was changed to credit Tokunaga with the goal after the game.)
The Silverswords came inches from squaring the game in the 55th minute on a free kick by
Ruby Burroughs (Santa Clarita, Calif./California Baptist/William Hart HS) from 35 feet out. But in a similar outcome from Tuesday's match at HPU, Burrough's shot grazed off the fingertips of UH Hilo goalkeeper Lolo Retsky and bounced off the crossbar.
The Vulcans added an insurance goal in 77th minute on a breakaway goal by Grace VerHage, the first time this season the 'Swords have allowed a multi-goal match.
Chaminade was held to just four shots on the afternoon, one each by Burroughs,
Gracie Bowers (Murrieta, Calif./California Baptist/Vista Murrieta HS),
Hoku Schatz (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Univ. of Idaho/Kahuku HS) and
Madelynne Knowd (Ramona, Calif./Ramona).
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) stopped four Vulcans shots.
UH Hilo took 11 shots while Retsky made two saves to earn the win.
Chaminade fell to 3-3 on the year while UH Hilo improved to 5-0-1.
Because the match was a non-conference arrangement, the result will not count in the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge standings.
The Silverswords open PacWest action Wednesday when they host Academy of Art at Saint Louis Field. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m.
