HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's soccer team on Monday returned to their home pitch of Saint Louis Field for the first time since Sept. 20 to open their season-ending four-game homestand. The reunion was a rather joyous one.
The Silverswords scored twice in the first half and held on for a thrilling 2-1 win over visiting Westmont College to gain their first victory of the year and first since Oct. 4 of last year.
Shannon Healy (Gilbert, Ariz./Campo Verde) and
Marianna Carpenter (Castle Rock, Colo./University of North Dakota/Castle View HS) each found the back of the net for the first time this season with
Milan Cordone (Las Vegas/University of Northern Iowa/Coronado HS) assisting on both, becoming just the third player in program history to record a multi-assist game.
After being held to just 12 shots in their previous three games combined, Chaminade (1-11-1, 1-5 Pacific West Conference) went on the offensive, firing off 16 shots, 10 on-goal, both season-highs.
It didn't take long for the Silverswords to find success. In the eighth minute,
Olivia Leonard (Taylorsville, Utah/Utah Tech University/Skyline HS) delivered a back-pass to the midline where Cordone arched a pass to Healy who had a one-on-one chance against a Warriors' defender. Healy then skidded a shot that eluded Westmont goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig inside the left post for her first career goal. Leonard also got an assist.
Some 16 minutes later, the 'Swords increased their lead when Cordone's header in front of the Westmont net was deflected by Ludwig to which Carpenter one-timed the rebound in for her second career score. Cordone's helper allowed her to become the first Silversword since Kirstin Wong against Holy Names on Nov. 14, 2019 with a multi-assist game. Cailla Fabro (Sept. 28, 2017 vs. Holy Names) has the other.
The Warriors made it a one-score game in the 61st minute on a goal from Ellie Gilbert. Westmont was able to fire off seven more shots the rest of the game while CUH goalkeeper
Sydney Bakritzes (Edina, Minn./University of North Dakota/Edina HS) prevented three of them from being the equalizer.
Healy took a season-high six shots on the day, three on-goal while, in addition to her two assists, Cordone fired away at the goal four times, half being on target. The 'Swords' other shot takers were
Emmerson Peller (Broomfield, Colo./University of North Dakota/Broomfield HS),
Brooke Perreira (Honolulu/Kaiser),
Siena Ledesma (Reno, Nev./Galena) and
Cyera Perry (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani).
Bakritzes made five saves to earn her first win in a 'Swords' uniform and the third of her career.
Westmont (2-7-3, 1-4 PacWest) attempted 14 shots in all. Corner kicks were even at eight each.
The Silverswords return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 21, on their home pitch against Dominican University of California. Kickoff is at 10 a.m.
