COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's soccer team on Thursday wrapped up their 11-day, four-match Southern California road trip with a 2-1 defeat to Vanguard University at the VU Soccer Complex.
 
Kaiya Smith (El Dorado, Calif./Oak Ridge) scored her first career goal with Kenna Kiefer (Vail, Ariz./Cienega) delivering the pass to tie the program's career assist mark in defeat.
 
Sofia Desirello (Menifee, Calif./University of North Dakota/Paloma HS) attempted a team-high three shots while Olivia Leonard (Taylorsville, Utah/Utah Tech University/Skyline HS) had another look at the Lions net.
 
Sydney Bakritzes (Edina, Minn./University of North Dakota/Edina HS) set a career high with 12 saves for the Silverswords (0-10-1, 0-4 Pacific West Conference).
 
After spotting Vanguard (4-5-1, 2-1 PacWest) the game's first score, the 'Swords countered in the 23rd minute when Kiefer crossed launched a pass from near the left corner flag to the box where Smith got free and tapped the ball in just inside the right post for the equalizer.
 
Kiefer's assist was her second in as many games, her third of the season and fifth of her career, tying her with current CUH assistant coach Savannah Miranda and Cailla Fabro atop the all-time assists list.
 
But the Lions, which totaled 29 shots with 14 on target, took the lead six minutes into the second half on a Jennifer Alvarez boot from 25 yards out that curled under the crossbar by mere inches.
 
Although the 'Swords' mainland travels are finished, their next game is also on the road, an interisland trip to the University of Hawai'i Hilo on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Vulcans Soccer Field.