SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – For 89 minutes on Saturday, the Chaminade University women's soccer team went toe-to-toe with the Pacific West Conference co-leaders.
But in the end, it was a penalty kick with 59 seconds left which determined the outcome of their 2-1 defeat to Dominican University of California at Penguin Field.
Senior midfielder
Brynn Shimabukuro (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/South Dakota State/Aiea HS) notched her first career goal for the Silverswords, who suffered their first loss of the season at 0-1-5 and are 0-1-1 in the PacWest.
Dominican, which entered the day tied atop the early PacWest standings with the University of Hawai'i Hilo, improved to 4-0-4 and 2-0 in the conference.
The Penguins scored in the 21st minute, just the second goal allowed by the 'Swords all season, and led for the next 36 minutes.
In the 57th minute, CUH got a corner kick where
Madelynne Knowd (Ramona, Calif./Ramona) made a perfect placement at the front of the net. Shimabukuro got the loose ball just five yards outside the goal and tapped the ball in to even the match at 1.
It appeared the Silverswords were destined for yet another draw but with just 59 seconds left, a handball was whistled against them inside their own box, resulting in a penalty kick. Janae Schwan converted the PK, her second goal of the game, to send the 'Swords to a disappointing defeat.
Shimabukuro and
Haley Mo'okini (San Gabriel, Calif./Gabrielino) each took two shots for the Silversword who had six total tries at the net, four on-goal.
Bailey Loria (Fontana, Calif./Aquinas) and
Kierra Reid (St. George, Utah/Dixie) also had looks at the net.
Maddie Merrick (Parker, Colo./Creighton University/Legend HS) made two stops for CUH in facing nine shots. Her DUC counterpart Angelina Hert had three saves.
The Silverswords return home to the Saint Louis Field pitch in a rivalry match against Hawai'i Pacific University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12 p.m. The match will count towards the PacWest Hawai'i standings, the first game of the entire series in any sport this season.
