University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson saw his team get outclassed in the first half.
University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson saw his team get outclassed in the first half.
It was nothing a few tweaks couldn’t fix.
Boosted by their second-half adjustments, the Vulcans rode a goal by Ashley Borja-Roese at the 51-minute mark to beat Simon Fraser 1-0 in Burnaby, British Columbia.
“It changed the whole complexion of game,” Thompson said of his decision to move more speed to the top of the lineup. “They had us pretty good in the first half.”
He bumped Alexandra Marin from fullback to forward, while Jessica Heade focused more on offense in the midfield. The Vulcans (1-1) outshot the Clan (0-1) 8-1 during the final 45 minutes.
“At least in this game, Alexandra’s athletic ability seemed to be too much for them,” Thompson said.
He credited the senior with creating UHH’s goal. Borja-Roese scored unassisted off a rebound.
The Vulcans had a goal disallowed in the 66th minute because of an offside call.
Sophomore Jenna Hufford made one save for the shutout.
In a men’s game, Raad Aljabi scored nine minutes into overtime as Sonoma State beat UHH 1-0.
The Vulcans (0-1) were outshot 20-9.
“I would say they beat us,” Thompson said. “We didn’t beat ourselves.”
Erick Lemus made three saves in the first half for UHH, and Tyler Hoffman made six.
Sean Taufer stopped five shots for Sonoma State (1-1.).
“We did have some very good looks,” Thompson said. “We just couldn’t put them away.”
The Vulcans men’s and women’s team each will face Simon Fraser on Tuesday.
Washington State 3, Hawaii 1: The Cougars tallied three second-half goals to hand the Rainbow Wahine their second straight loss at the Outrigger Resorts Soccer Classic in Waipahu, Oahu.
Krystal Pascua put Hawaii (2-4) in front in the 36th minute, directing her third goal of the season into the upper right corner from 20 yards out.
Beau Bremer tied the match and added an insurance goal after Kaitlyn Johnson gave Washington State (3-0-2) the lead.
Volleyball
Coach Tino Reyes headed to Oahu confident in the UHH’s ball-handing. He left ready to get back to the drawing board.
Reyes called passing the Vulcans’ malfunction in a 1-2 start that was capped off by a 21-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 loss to Chaminade on Saturday night in Oahu.
“We’re not teaching them the right things and we’re not seeing the right things,” Reyes said. “It falls on me, but it’s fixable.”
He has time. The Vulcans play their alumni match Saturday and then open Pacific West Conference play Sept. 18 at home against Hawaii Pacific.
In all three matches, sophomore Marley Strand-Nicolaisen (15 kills against Chaminade) and junior Morgan Lees (11) led UHH in hitting, but their attack percentages sagged after the season-opening win Friday against Deamen College.
“That’s not on the hitters, it’s passing,” Reyes said. “We serve and receive well in practice, but it’s a little different when you’re going up against another team.”