HONOLULU – It took a while for the Chaminade University women's soccer team to gain traction in their season opener Saturday. But when things finally clicked, the result was nothing short of spectacular.
After being held out of the net for the first 66 minutes, the Silverswords amassed four scores in their final 24 for a resounding 4-1 win in their exhibition against Lewis & Clark College at Saint Louis Field.
Gracie Knowd (Ramona, Calif./New Mexico State/Ramona HS) had a goal and assisted on another for the 'Swords, who outshot the Pioneers, 26-to-5, including an 18-to-1 second half barrage.
After a scoreless first half, Knowd's assist to
Kenna Kiefer (Vail, Ariz./Cienega) resulted in Chaminade's first score. The score promptly opened the floodgates for the 'Swords, who got their second goal from
Lela Gi (Las Vegas/Liberty) on a pass from Kiefer.
Knowd's goal on an assist from
Haley Mo'okini (San Gabriel, Calif./Gabrielino) in the 78th minute put the Silverswords up, 3-0. That was followed by a tap-in from
Alexys Taira (Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) whose goal was set up on a centering pass from
Kaelyn Jaentsch (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell).
The Pioneers got their lone goal in the waning minutes.
Meanwhile, freshman
Izabella Holly (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega) got the starting nod at goalkeeper, keeping a clean sheet in the first 45 minutes before giving way to
Jordhan Kieres (Lakewood, Ohio/Bellermine Univ./Lakewood HS) in the second half.
The exhibition meant the result and statistics for both teams will not go into the books.
The Silverswords will officially open their 2024 regular season Thursday at the Northwest Nazarene Invitational in Nampa, Idaho, where they will meet Colorado Mesa, the 10th-ranked squad in Division II according to the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Mountain time, 12 p.m. Hawaiian.
Chaminade will also face Minot State on Saturday, Sept. 7 and host Northwest Nazarene on Sept. 10.
