SAN DIEGO – The Chaminade University men's soccer team opened their four-game Southern California road trip Thursday which was also their Pacific West Conference opener.
The Silverswords came up on the short end of a 3-1 decision to Point Loma at the PLNU Soccer/Track Complex.
Chara Iniestra (Escondido, Calif./MiraCosta College/San Pasqual HS) had the lone goal for the 'Swords, who fell to 0-7 and 0-1 in the PacWest.
The Sea Lions, the two-time defending conference champion, improved to 4-2-3 and 1-0 in the conference.
After Point Loma scored the first two scores, the 'Swords made it a game in the 51st minute. Off a Sea Lions' corner kick, CUH quickly went on a counterattack where
Chance Therrien (Charlotte, Vt./University of St. Thomas/Champlain Valley Union HS) found Iniestra in the attacking quarter. With PLNU goalkeeper Jeremy Caringella abandoning the net to challenge, Iniestra touched the ball over Caringella then headed it into the net for his first goal of the season and Therrien's first assist.
The Silverswords had two chances for the tying score but could not get the ball into the net. The Sea Lions then got the insurance goal in the 63rd minute.
Jonah Valmonte (Poolesville, Md./Robert Morris University/Poolesville HS) played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves.
Chaminade took 11 shots on the afternoon with two shots each from
Jedidiah Griffin (Honolulu/Cal State Fullerton/Punahou School),
Masen Heu (Makawao, Maui, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Maui) and
Michael Oelberger (Los Angeles/Butler University/Cathedral HS). Both of Griffin's shots were on-goal.
The Sea Lions also had 11 shots with five being on target. Caringella made three saves for Point Loma which also had six corner kicks to Chaminade's two.
The Silverswords' road trip continues Saturday at Biola with kickoff at 4 p.m. Hawai'i time.
