It was a goal that might never have materialized a few weeks ago for the University of Hawaii at Hilo men’s soccer team.
On Saturday, Ryhen Eugenio never doubted it would come.
Eugenio scored the only goal in a match against Dixie State, delivering a header with under 14 minutes remaining to carry the Vulcans to a 1-0 victory at their campus field.
“In the second half we came out with more intensity,” Eugenio told the Tribune-Herald. “We knew they were tired from the trip and we were picking our chances.
“We knew we would get a goal, and I was just fortunate it was me.”
Anthony Novella took the free kick from about 40 yards out on the right side, and the 6-foot-3 Eugenio redirected it from the center of the penalty box.
“We seemed to generate a lot of restarts today,” director of soccer Lance Thompson said in a university release. “Ironically, we got the goal off of a restart.
“We both showed some wear and tear with four games over eight days. You could tell today both teams are pretty exhausted.”
The Vulcans (5-6-1, 3-4-0) have won three of four matches on their homestand, the past two via shutout. Goalkeeper Tyler Hoffman did the honors again, though he was only called upon to make one save. The Vulcans allowed the Red Storm (1-7-1, 1-4-0) only two shots.
Eugenio, a senior fullback and one of the retooled Vulcans’ few returning starters, said it’s evident the team is starting to “buy in” since it went through a five-game stretch in which in went scoreless four times.
“A lot of guys are coming together and playing with more chemistry,” he said. “People are going to be frustrated when they lose playing time. But it’s good for soccer here.”
Dixie State women 2, UHH 0: Erica Gonzalez broke a scoreless tie in the 81st minute, and the Vulcans allowed an own goal to remain winless (0-2-2) on their homestand.
The Vulcans (5-3-4, 2-2-3) were outshot 15-5 by the Red Storm (5-5-1, 3-2-0), forcing goalkeeper Jenna Hufford to make 10 saves.
“You just can’t beat yourselves,” Thompson said. “The first goal they got, we also helped them.”
