IRVINE, Calif. – After a successful home stand that saw the Chaminade University women's soccer team win all four of their Pacific West Conference opening matches, the Silverswords hit the conference road for the only time this season that could determine if they will be playing in mid-November.
Saturday's opener wasn't going to be easy, coming against Concordia University Irvine, ranked fifth nationally according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Silverswords, who last year, stunned the then-No. 5 Golden Eagles in a 2-1 decision at Saint Louis Field for the first victory against a nationally ranked opponent, forced a 1-1 deadlock at Golden Eagles Soccer Field.
Clara Slate-Liu's (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada/Ecolè Alpha Secondary) first goal of the season and her first since 2022, was the equalizer to help the 'Swords gain the draw.
Chaminade, who is No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll, is 5-2-3 overall. They and CUI are both 4-0-1 with 16 points in the PacWest standings, tied for fourth, just two points behind third place Westmont.
Like they have all season, the Silverswords maintained a defensive posture for a good portion of the first half. In fact, the first shot of the game by either team didn't come until the 31 minute when the Golden Eagles fired off a shot which resulted in a score for Bella Barrett.
But CUI's lead didn't last long. Just eight minutes into the start of the second half, in the 53rd minute,
Brynn Shimabukuro (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/South Dakota State/Aiea HS) gained possession of the ball inside the Golden Eagles penalty area, flicked the ball towards the middle of the box where a CUI defender misplayed it. Slate-Liu then gained control and blasted a 15-yard shot into the lower-left shelf to tie the game.
The goal was just the second allowed by CUI in 10 matches this season after the Golden Eagles pitched shutouts in their first eight contests.
The 'Swords had several chances for the go-ahead goal but a header just outside the goal area by
Gracie Knowd (Ramona, Calif./New Mexico State/Ramona HS) off a corner kick in the 77th minute was saved as well as a kick from 15 yards out by
Isabella Narvaez (Vail, Ariz./Cienega) two minutes later.
Meanwhile, Chaminade's defense swarmed all over CUI attackers, not surrendering a single shot in the final 18 minutes. Goalkeeper
Izabella Holly (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) made several plays inside the CUH box to thwart Golden Eagles on the counterattack. Holly made four saves in earning her third tie of the season.
The 'Swords allowed just eight CUI shots, their second fewest of the season while taking seven of their own. Riley Urquiza made four saves for CUI.
The Silverswords' road trip continues Monday at PacWest newcomer Vanguard.
