GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado women's soccer kept visiting Chaminade (Hawaii) University off the scoreboard until the Silverswords poked one through midway in the second half to steal a narrow 1-0 non-conference victory over the Mountaineers Friday afternoon at Katy O. Rady Field.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Chaminade def. Western, 1-0
Records: Western 0-2-1, Chaminade 1-0-1
Location: Katy O. Rady Field, Gunnison, Colo.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Western was on the defensive for much of the opening 45 minutes of the game, surrendering six shots during that span, four of which that made it on frame and were saved by Mountaineer goalkeeper Mei Hayashizaki to keep the game scoreless heading into the halftime break.
• The Silverswords generated the first two shots of second half action, and it was that second attempt that moved the scoreboard as Loria Bailey's pass from the left side of the box found Kenna Kiefer for a goal into the right side that broke the deadlock.
• Western pressed its attack after that, gaining it's first shot and scoring opportunity with Natsuki Murakami's rocket from the top of the box in the 70th minute. The shot arced over defenders and looked like a sure goal just under the crossbar but Chaminade goalie Naomi Takata made a leaping save to get a glove on the ball and deflect the dangerous scoring chance away.
• Luci Gulbransen had the final scoring chance for Western, but her shot in the 82nd through Silversword defenders was eyed by Takata all the way for a game-winning save.

ON THE PITCH

• Western was outshot in the game 11-3, 6-2 on goal, but earned possession time in the attacking half of the pitch more than 50% of the game.
• The Mountaineers forged an advantage of 7-5 from corners, but none of those set pieces would turn into any goals.
• Hayashizaki finished the game with five saves, her Chaminade counterpart collecting two.

NEXT UP
Western faces off against Midwestern State (Texas) University (0-1-2), which dropped a 3-0 decision to Fort Lewis College at Rady Field prior to the Chaminade game, on Sunday at 10 a.m.