IRVINE, Calif. – Chaminade University women's soccer on Monday was named the Pacific West Conference Team of the Week while defender
Haley Mo'okini (San Gabriel, Calif./Gabrielino) is the Player of the Week.
Mo'okini earned the award for the second time this season after her two goals against fifth-ranked Concordia University Irvine helped the Silverswords not only chalk up their first-ever win in eight tries against CUI in the series but also their first victory against a nationally ranked foe.
Biola's Autumn Monty is the PacWest Defender of the Week.
Mo'okini's first goal, coming in the 56th minute, was a thing of beauty. A set piece from 45 yards out, her blast was perfectly placed over the goalkeeper and settled just under the crossbar. The sophomore got her second score thanks to a penalty kick in the 70th minute, which proved to be the game-winning goal.
Like Mo'okini, the 'Swords were named the Team of the Week for a second time this year. The upset of the Golden Eagles was their seventh win of the season, tying the two previous seasons for victories in a single season while their 17 conference points in the standings are the most.
The win over CUI threw the chase for the PacWest championship and the conference's NCAA Tournament berth in a heap of chaos with as many as six teams still in the running – Chaminade included – heading into the season's final week. Although the 'Swords cannot win the PacWest championship, they can still capture the automatic qualifier (AQ) if the following pieces fall into place:
- Concordia: loss to Westmont on Saturday.
- Point Loma: tie with Westmont on Wednesday, loss at Fresno Pacific on Saturday.
- Azusa Pacific: loss to Biola on Saturday.
- Chaminade: beat Hawai'i Hilo on Sunday.
If those situations play out, Westmont would claim the conference championship with 21 points while Chaminade and Concordia would tie for runner-up with 20.
However because the Warriors are still transitioning from NAIA membership and are not eligible for NCAA postseason, the AQ would go to the next eligible PacWest member. In that event, the Silverswords would get the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head win and earn the PacWest's berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Regardless, the 'Swords will close the season Sunday against the Vulcans, another nationally ranked foe. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. with ceremonies honoring the seniors
Naomi Takata and
Tehani Smith to follow.
