SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Dominican University women's soccer took down Chaminade University of Hawaii 1-0 on the Kennelly pitch. 

The lone goal came just 90 seconds after the conclusion of the American National Anthem, with senior Katie Bianchi burying her first of the season and first as a collegiate athlete. A Dominican corner kick was received by Claire Brown, who quickly directed the ball to Bianchi who made no mistake as the ball found itself into the back of the net. The early game-winner not only proved Dominican triumphant in victory, but also brought triumph to Bianchi who only recently returned to the pitch after suffering season-ending injury, forced her to the sidelines for the previous season. 

The early heroics were held onto by Dominican for the remainder of the game despite playing much of the match in its own half of the field as it weathered the storm brought on by the Swordsmen.

Chaminade sent shots towards senior Jaqueline Catano, but it wasn't until the 18th minute that Catano faced a true test before notching her first save on the scoresheet. Over the course of seven minutes, Catano would have to make a trio of saves, steering aside all three. The Swordsmen ended the initial frame with a 6-1 shot advantage, though the Penguins were the only squad to make its shot count. 

The final frame began with a similar storyline as Catano steered aside another shot in the 58th minute of the match. The teams traded fouls — with Dominican out-fouling Chaminade 10-5 on the afternoon — and corner kicks for the ensuing 20 minutes before Dominican broke its shotless drought courtesy of a header by senior Ayla Harris that found the middle of the target before ultimately being saved by Chaminade goalkeeper Naomi Takata. Harris would again test Takata in the 83rd minute, but the result stayed constant. 

A late fury of attacks by Chaminade were all met by Catano who was forced to stockpile three more saves in the final seven minutes of the match, but Catano's excellence was soon met by Penguin celebration as Dominican trotted off the field with the 1-0 victory over its conference opponent. 

Dominican ended the game being outshot 14-6 with 10 shots finding the target for Chaminade as compared to Dominican's three. Chaminade also paced Dominican in corners, leading 8-4 in that category. Harris and junior Cassidy Marquez led all Penguins shooters with two shots apiece.

Dominican will look to start a mini win-streak on Thursday, Nov. 4, when they travel to Southern California to take on Concordia University.