ATHERTON, Calif. – The Chaminade University men's soccer team was down but not out in Thursday's match against Menlo College.
Despite having just two shots on the afternoon, the Silverswords got the one that mattered the most.
Caleb Yap-Texeira's (Pukalani, Maui, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Maui) first goal of the season came with just four minutes left to help the 'Swords in a stunning 1-1 draw at Atherton Field.
Chaminade, coming off their 4-3 win against Westmont College in last Saturday's home finale, moved to 1-8-2 overall and 1-5-2 in the Pacific West Conference. Menlo got its first tie of the season and is 10-3-1 and 4-2-1 in the conference.
For the first 86 minutes, the Oaks were seemingly in control with 23 shots although they had just one goal to show for it, coming in the 33rd minute.
In that fateful 86th minute, the 'Swords worked the ball to the upper right side of the box where
Vlad Tomutiu (Belmont, Calif./Cañada College/Carlmont HS) punched a crossing pass to the opposite side where Yap-Texeira one-timed the boot into the lower right corner to give them the equalizer and his first career goal. Tomutiu's assist was also his first of the season.
Chaminade then survived three more Menlo shots in the final three-and-a-half minutes to preserve the draw and snatch victory away from the Oaks.
Both of the 'Swords' shots were on target – one on Yap-Texeira's goal, the other off the boot of
Kawainui Anderson (Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) in the 31st minute.
Jonah Valmonte (Poolesville, Md./Robert Morris University/Poolesville HS) faced 26 shots, making 11 saves which tied his career high.
The Silverswords play their final mainland game of the season on Saturday at Jessup University. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Hawai'i time.
