HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University scored three straight goals, then had to hang on to defeat cross-town rival Chaminade 3-2 in PacWest action on Saturday afternoon at Saint Louis Field.
 
The Sharks (5-3-1, 2-1) came back from an early deficit to lead the Silverswords (1-2-2, 1-1), then held off the home team down the stretch.
 
Senior Ebony Madrid of Porterville, Calif./Ramstein (Germany) scored twice in leading the Sharks to victory, while sophomore Brittny Ihara of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City scored the third for HPU.
 
Both teams attempted nine shots, with Sharks sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Froio of Simi Valley, Calif./Royal collecting three saves with two goals allowed. CUH keeper Naomi Takata chalked up four saves with three goals allowed.
 
The Silverswords drew first blood when CUH scored off a corner kick in the 17th minute. Randi Fontes collected a ball that ricocheted off of Froio and put it in the net for a 1-0 Chaminade lead.
 
The Sharks evened the game six minutes later in the 23rd minute when Madrid dribbled the ball into the box and juked Takata for a tap-in for the 1-1 tie.
 
The contest stayed knotted through the half, but just over five minutes into the second half the Sharks struck again.
 
Madrid took a through ball from sophomore Jacey Iwane of Aiea, Hawai'i/Moanalua, then again eluded the Sword keeper and again had an easy tap-in for her 10th goal of the season as the Sharks took a 2-1 lead.
 
HPU got what would be the game-winner in the 61st minute. Junior Nina Gonzales of Palmdale, Calif./Knight had the ball on the right sideline and crossed it to Ihara who tickled the twine from the left angle to lead 3-1.
 
The Swords battled back and got an opportunity in the 75th minute. Following a foul by HPU, Chaminade's Kirstin Wong blasted a free kick into the goal to pull the Swords within 3-2.
 
The HPU defense held tight, allowing the Silverswords only one more shot – in the 86th minute. The shot was wide and HPU controlled the action to the final whistle.
 
The Sharks are in action again on Wednesday when they host Fresno Pacific in a PacWest match. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m., at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.