FRESNO, Calif.- A penalty kick and an early goal gave the Chaminade Silverswords (3-2-2 overall, 1-0 conference) a 2-0 win over the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (1-7 overall, 0-1 conference) opening PacWest play Monday night on Ramirez Field.
The Silverswords came out strong offensively recording ten shots in the first 12 minutes of play.
In the 33rd minute, Chaminade was awarded a penalty kick, which they converted to give them the early lead 1-0.
The Sunbirds countered with an attack of their own less than a minute later as
Alena Schenk recorded back to back shots that the Silverswords Naomi Takata covered up with incredible saves.
Three minutes later in the 36th, the Silverswords would break through again and extend their lead even further with a goal off the corner to put them up 2-0.
The second half became a defensive stalemate with both teams struggling to maintain possession.
Maria Eir Magnusdottir attempted multiple shots recording four out of the Sunbirds six in the second half, but all were saved by Takata.
Despite holding the Silverswords scoreless in the second, the Sunbirds failed to find any offensive momentum falling to Chaminade 2-0.
In goal,
Monique Nevarez would finish the game nine saves on the Silverswords 17 shots.
The Sunbirds will continue their three game conference home stand Thursday night with a matchup against Hawaii Pacific at 7:30pm at Ramirez Field.
SUNBIRD SOCIAL
- Twitter - @fpusunbirds
- Instagram - @fpusunbirds
- Facebook - /FPUsunbirds
