HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's soccer team returned home from their two-match Colorado road trip Thursday, scoring a 2-0 non-conference win over Hawai'i Pacific University at Saint Louis Field.
The Silverswords got scores from
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) and
Alexys Taira (Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) to snap their three-match skid to their longtime in-city rivals.
For the 'Swords (2-0-2), it marked the first time in program history they captured a win of two or more goals over the Sharks, who fell to 0-3-1.
Miranda's first goal of the season was a thing of beauty. In the 42nd minute, off a free kick just outside the left side of the box, the junior booted a perfectly placed shot that curled just inside the upper right post to put the Silverswords ahead, the team's first goal against HPU since 2021.
Chaminade added an insurance goal in the 65th minute off another set piece. Following an HPU foul in the attacking quarter,
Shaley Mercado (Honolulu/Kaiser) fired a pass towards the goal where Taira stuck the shot in from 10 feet out, giving the freshman her first career goal.
It would be all the 'Swords and their stifling defense needed, allowing just three shots in the game while
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) did not have to make a save. Chaminade has surrendered just 18 opponent tries at the net in their four matches this season.
The 'Swords were the clear aggressors, taking 13 shots with a whopping 11 on-goal. Miranda and
Kenna Kiefer (Vail, Ariz./Cienega) led Chaminade with three shots each.
Meanwhile Takata continues to shine at the net, earning her school-record 20th career win. Her third shutout this season is also the 17th of her brilliant career.
HPU keeper Madi dePhillips made nine saves to fall to 0-1-1.
The Silverswords will next be in action on Sunday at 11 a.m. when they face Stanislaus State in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
