HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's soccer team's 2024 season got off to a resounding start Saturday with a 5-0 exhibition blanking of Lewis & Clark College at Saint Louis Field.
The Silverswords scored four times in the opening half – including three in the game's first 13 minutes – despite humid conditions as the remnants of Hurricane Gilma moved past O'ahu.
Four of the five goals were from returnees, including one just three minutes in from
Oliver Horgan (Reno, Nev./Cal Poly Humboldt/Galena HS) on an pass from
Owen Caba (West Linn, Ore./West Linn), last year's assist leader.
Caba would get a score of his own during the waning minutes of the first half on a penalty kick which put the 'Swords up, 4-0.
Owen Malone (Carlsbad, Calif./Univ. of Saint Katherine/Carlsbad HS) had Chaminade's third goal coming in the 12th minute.
La'akea Gonsalves (Anahola, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Kapa'a) had the 'Swords' fifth goal on a PK in the 66th minute.
The only newcomer to get into the scoring fun was junior college transfer
Ian Garcia (Chula Vista, Calif./Cuyamaca College/Meter Dei HS), who accounted for Chaminade's second goal.
The 'Swords held the Pioneers to just two shots with starting goalkeeper
Jonah Valmonte (Poolesville, Md./Robert Morris University/Poolesville HS) not needing a save.
Chaminade, meanwhile, took 17 shots, seven on-goal.
Although the contest was an exhibition affair for the 'Swords, to which the record and statistics will count for them, the game was the regular season opener for Lewis & Clark (0-1).
The regular season gets underway for real on Saturday, Sept. 7, when the Silverswords host the University of Hawai'i Hilo in a non-conference matchup at Saint Louis Field. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
