HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific Women's Soccer hosted rival Chaminade on Wednesday evening at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium, and after 90 minutes, the Sharks and Silverswords settled for a 2-2 draw. The result earns Hawai'i Pacific its first point of the season and moves the Sharks to 0-7-1.
Chaminade struck early when Olivia Leonard scored off an assist from Emmerson Peller in the opening minute to put the Silverswords ahead 1-0. Hawai'i Pacific responded in the 24th minute when
Christina Espinal found the net off assists from
Ava-Rose Whitmer and
Ocean Bustamante to level the score at 1-1. The Sharks took their first lead of the night in the 33rd minute, as
Lauren Longworth scored off an assist from
Kaitlyn Anderson.
Chaminade drew even before the break, converting a penalty kick in the 41st minute through Milan Cordone to make it 2-2. Neither side found the net in a scoreless second half, with Sharks goalkeeper
Natalie Navarro turning aside a few late Chaminade chances. The Sharks' defensive line came through with crucial blocked shots and tackles of their own in the chaotic 88th minute to preserve the draw.
Hawai'i Pacific finished with 12 shots, including six on goal - the Sharks' highest output of the season - while Chaminade totaled 14 shots with five on goal. Longworth led HPU with four shots, three on target, and Espinal added three shots with two on frame. Whitmer, Bustamante, and Anderson each recorded an assist, with both HPU goals coming from teammate setups. Navarro made three saves across the full 90 minutes.
Hawai'i Pacific and Chaminade each committed eight fouls, while the Silverswords held an 8-7 edge in corner kicks. HPU was issued a team yellow card in the 82nd minute.
Wednesday's match also served as Hawai'i Pacific's Suicide Prevention Awareness Night. Before kickoff, the Sharks and Silverswords joined fans in a moment of silence to honor those lost to suicide and to celebrate those who continue to persevere, with the crowd reminded that support is available 24/7 through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
"College athletes face an immense amount of pressure and stress, and mental health struggles do not care what color jersey you wear," said Sharks Head Coach
Connor Artigue.
"The purpose of this week was to spread awareness. Not only of the 988 crisis line and local resources, but to start a bigger conversation and remove the stigma around seeking help.
Seeing our biggest rivals stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in a moment of silence before the match reminded our entire soccer community that we are all on the same team when it comes to suicide prevention. Together, we want anyone who is struggling to know they are never fighting alone."
Hawai'i Pacific begins PacWest play on the road against Point Loma on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 11:30 a.m. in San Diego.
