HONOLULU – After a tough southern California road trip last week, the Chaminade University women's soccer team returned to their home pitch at Saint Louis Field on Wednesday, earning a 1-0 win over Fresno Pacific.
Gracie Knowd (Ramona, Calif./New Mexico State/Ramona HS) scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season, tapping in a rebounded shot in the 49th minute for the game's lone score.
The victory snapped their four-game winless streak – which included two draws – improving them to 6-4-4 overall and 5-2-2 in the Pacific West Conference. More importantly, their 17 conference points vaulted them past Azusa Pacific and Concordia University Irvine into fourth in the PacWest standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the conference tournament at Great Park in Irvine, California, starting Nov. 14.
The Sunbirds fell to 4-6-3 overall and 3-4-1 in the conference.
For the 'Swords, it was their fourth 1-nil victory this season. They also suffered a pair of 1-0 losses back in September.
After a scoreless first half, the 'Swords finally broke through.
Clara Slate-Liu (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada/Ecolè Alpha Secondary) launched a 30-yard rainbow over the defense, which fell towards the crossbar. FPU keeper Monique Nevarez made a leaping save, but with her momentum taking her inside the net, the ball was punched out with Knowd zipping in from the right side of the box to power in the deflection. Slate-Liu was credited with the assist.
From there, Chaminade's defense took over, allowing just four Sunbird shots the rest of the match.
Goalkeeper
Jordhan Kieres (Lakewood, Ohio/Bellermine Univ./Lakewood HS) made two saves in recording her first career clean sheet while earning her second win. Nevarez had five saves in taking the loss.
The 'Swords attempted 11 shots, six on-goal.
Haley Mo'okini (San Gabriel, Calif./Gabrielino) had three attempts at the net with two on target while Slate-Liu had both of her shots on-goal.
Bryana Yoshida (Makakilo, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Fresno Pacific University/Kapolei HS), who spent three seasons at FPU (2020-22), played 29 minutes, taking one shot against her former team.
The Silverswords will play their final home game on Saturday when they host in-city rival Hawai'i Pacific University at Saint Louis Field in a rematch of the Sept. 25 non-conference meeting won by the Sharks. Saturday will also be Aloha Senior Day where the team will bid aloha to several seniors. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
