WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – For years, if the Chaminade University women's soccer team got a tie against Hawai'i Pacific University, it would be a moral victory.
However, since the turn of the current decade, a draw to their in-city rival is … well, not so much.
The Silverswords, who had a non-conference win over HPU in September, led for 44 minutes Thursday before the Sharks slipped in a goal in the 86th minute to deny them victory in their 1-1 deadlock at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The draw cost Chaminade (5-2-3 overall, 3-0-1 Pacific West Conference) a chance to force a three-way tie with Hawai'i Hilo and Concordia University Irvine at the top of the conference standings. The good news, though, the tie still gave them a point with 10, putting them just two behind the Vulcans and Golden Eagles.
Meanwhile, HPU, which was coming off an 8-1 drubbing at Hawai'i Hilo last weekend, got its third draw in its last five decisions to stand at 1-5-4 overall and 1-1-3 in the PacWest.
In the 42nd minute,
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) connected on her second goal of the season, a blast from some 35 yards out to put the 'Swords up, 1-0.
In the second half, Chaminade launched seven shots at the HPU net in looking for an insurance score. The 'Swords nearly got it in the 82nd minute but a shot hit the left post.
Unfortunately, the luck turned with just three minutes left when Kayla Fraser got the equalizer from just past the 18-yard box, forcing a 1-1 deadlock.
Neither team was able to get off a quality shot in the final 3 minutes, 34 seconds, just the third tie between the two programs since the series began in 2006.
The 'Swords outshot the Sharks by a 12-to-7 count including a 7-to-3 tally in shots on-goal. They also took nine corner kicks to HPU's three.
Haley Mo'okini (San Gabriel, Calif./Gabrielino) took a team-high four shots for Chaminade, three which were on target while
Delaney Buntin (Vail, Ariz./Pima CC/Cienega HS) attempted three.
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) made one save while DePhillips stopped five.
Thursday's match was also the final one away from home. The Silverswords' final six regular season matches will all be at the Saint Louis Field pitch as they begin to make a possible stretch run for a first-ever postseason berth.
The first match of their home stand is Monday against Point Loma. Kickoff set for 12:30 p.m.
