If there is one road trip that UH-Hilo soccer director Lance Thompson dreads, it’s a visit to Southern California.
If there is one road trip that UH-Hilo soccer director Lance Thompson dreads, it’s a visit to Southern California.
It’s easy to see why after the way his men’s team has taken it on the chin the past two days.
The Vulcans lost their sixth consecutive match Thursday in a 4-0 defeat to Cal Baptist in Riverside, Calif., as UH-Hilo was dominated during the first half for the second day and row.
The Lancers took a 2-0 lead at halftime on goals by Daniel Westholm as the Vulcans (1-8-0, 0-4-0 Pacific West Conference) were outshot 18-0.
Westholm has seven goals on the season for California Baptist (4-5-1, 3-2-0), which is in one more score than UH-Hilo has generated all season.
As one-sided as the half was, it was better than the first 45 minutes of a shutout loss Wednesday at Cal State L.A. in which the Vulcans allowed five first-half goals.
Goalkeepers Joshua Jasper and Tyler Hoffman each made two saves for the Vulcans. Jeromy Gurule and Aidan Apodaca tacked on second-half goals for the Lancers.
The Lady Vulcans suffered first-half problems of their own in 2-0 loss at Cal Baptist. UH-Hilo (3-2-3, 2-2-0) didn’t register its first shot until the 49th minute. Freshmen Danika Steele and Leighana Weaver, who combined for a goal Wednesday in a 1-1 draw with Cal State L.A., accounted for the Vulcans’ only two shots on frame. They were outshot 23-4.
Freshman Tiani Teanio, an all-BIIF midfielder her senior season at Waiakea, pinched in at goalkeeper for the second consecutive match, going the entire way and making nine saves. On Wednesday, Teanio played the last 65 minutes after taking over for Kayla Clarke, allowing one goal with four stops.
On his team’s most recent homestand Thompson said goalkeeper Jenna Hufford was suffering from an injury.
UH-Hilo finishes it’s road trip Saturday at Dixie State uin Utah – but it’s not done with Southern California yet. The Vulcans will be back for another three-game trip at the end of the month.