Women’s Soccer Battles No. 6 Vulcans to Draw

Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of Chaminade University

HONOLULU – The Chaminade University and University of Hawai’i Hilo women’s soccer teams entered Friday’s matchup with identical 2-0 records in the Pacific West Conference standings.
 
When the clock hit zero on the scoreboard, their conference records were still the same.
 
In a matchup of the PacWest leaders, the Silverswords and Vulcans slugged out a scoreless 0-0 draw at Saint Louis Field. Both teams are 2-0-1 in the conference. Chaminade is now 5-3-1 overall while Hawai’i Hilo is 7-0-2 on the season.
 
The tie was a significant step forward for the ‘Swords who pressed UH Hilo, the No. 6 ranked team in the nation as per the United Soccer Coaches Poll. It marked the first time in program history that Chaminade avoided a loss against a nationally ranked foe (0-5-1 all-time).
 
Although the Vulcans had possession time advantage, it was the Silverswords who dictated the flow of the game for a majority of the 90 minutes.
 
Both teams attempted five first-half shots but in the second half, the ‘Swords were the aggressors and had several scoring chances as they looked to pull off the upset. Chaminade came within inches of getting on the board first on a shot by Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O’ahu, Hawai’i/Aiea) at the 56th minute. However, her blast from 15 feet out ricocheted off the crossbar.
 
The ‘Swords continued to be on the attack while also holding UH Hilo to just two shots in the second half, both of which came in the final six minutes.
 
In all, Chaminade out-shot UH Hilo, 11-to-7, the fewest attempted by the Vulcans this season. In fact, none of the Vulcans’ seven shots were taken inside the 18-yard box.
 
Gracie Bowers (Murrieta, Calif./California Baptist/Vista Murrieta HS) took four Chaminade’s shots, three on-goal. Miranda took three shots at the net while Asya Holt (Honolulu/Roosevelt), Ruby Burroughs (Santa Clarita, Calif./California Baptist/William Hart HS) and Kira Nishiki (Mililani, O’ahu, Hawai’i/Mililani) each took one shot.
 
And just six days after UH Hilo posted seven goals against Academy of Art, the Silverswords’ defense kept them out of the net for just the second time this season. Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) recorded three saves to post her third consecutive shutout and the 12th of her career.
 
Lolo Retsky got the start of UH Hilo in the net while Viviana Poli took over in the second half with the duo combining for the shutout.
 
The tie also means both the ‘Swords and Vulcans will each get one point in the PacWest Hawai’i Challenge.
 
The Silverswords return to the Saint Louis Field pitch on Thursday, Oct. 13 when they face Holy Names University. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m.