They can laugh it about it now.
They can laugh it about it now.
It’s not a reminder of the win total from last season (one) that elicits laughs – and a few groans – in coach Gene Okamura’s office. It’s the fact the Vulcans men’s soccer team allowed a whopping 47 goals in 17 matches last season, while scoring only 17.
“That hurts my heart,” assistant coach Erick Lemus joked.
“That’s really bad,” Okamura said.
The heart and soul of the program are just fine, according to senior Jake Sagami. The attacking midfielder doesn’t want to hear about how he and his teammates need to learn how to win or establish a winning culture – or any other cliche, for that matter.
“No, it’s all in here,” said Sagami, pointing to himself. “(Quitting) was never a problem last year. (We) always gave everything we had.”
To be fair, the Vulcans’ 1-14-2 season included two losses in overtime and two more by one goal, though Okamura freely admits the team received a much-needed facelift.
The procedure wasn’t a complete overhaul, however, as the Vulcans turn to their nonconference opener at 3 p.m. Saturday against Hawaii Pacific in Kaneohe, Oahu. Reinforcements have arrived, to be sure, but the fact that seven starters are returning is a good thing, Okamura said.
For a team that can’t go anywhere but up, Job No. 1 for Okamura started at the bottom.
“Last year was about inexperience and youth,” he said. “We raised the bottom of the roster closer to the top and brought in more quality players. The training environment is much more competitive.
“We brought in players who can compete right away, plus the players from last year got a lot of quality minutes and are back with more experience.”
Freshman forward Bryan Reynoso’s objective is well-defined at striker: create and score goals.
His original plan was to walk on at Division I New Mexico in 2016, and the Vulcans have a sound backup plan for the native of Brea, Calif.
“He’s going to be dangerous,” Okamura said. “Pace and he’s good playing with his back to his goal. He’s technical and can finish.”
Sagami tied for the team lead with three goals last season at fullback, and he’s moving up to midfield intent on bucking a trend that has seen the Vulcans’ victory total decrease in all three of the previous seasons.
“This is the most fit, most dialed in and focused that I’ve seen him,” Okamura said.
In one sense, UH-Hilo will be much improved if nine players simply do their jobs while Reynoso and Sagami excel, but sophomores Jesus Ortega (two goals last season) and Jonathan Garcia (one) aren’t to be discounted either. Okamura feels the foursome “is going to be a nightmare for teams.”
“I expect a lot out of (Bryan),” Sagami said. “He’s athletic and fast and knows how to score goals.
“Garcia and Jesus know what they’re doing and are capable. Really, I trust everybody on this team.”
Junior Bradley Doyle also will see time up top, while fellow transfers Jack Stonehouse, Xahil McDonald join senior Kyran Johal as key pieces at midfield.
McDonald, a senior, gained invaluable Division II experience from his time at Humboldt State, Johal played in 12 matches last season for the Vuls and Okamura’s likes Stonehouse’s “fantastic” distribution skills and game-awareness. The junior spent two seasons at Iowa Lakes C.C.
The return to health of Connor Ebright bolsters the backline. The junior arrived last season and didn’t play, but he’s earned a role at outside back along with junior Omar Machado, who started all 17 matches last season. The center backs feature a returnee, junior Trenton Hooper started 14 matches at forward, and a transfer, junior Fernando Martinez, both of whom have flashed because of their work rate.
True freshman Sergio Hipolito is very talented, his coach said, and will see playing time when catches up speed.
Senior goalkeeper Cassidy Dixon, who prepped at the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science and at Honokaa, has played in 21 matches in his career, though he’s being pushed by junior transfer Nick Williams.
“If everybody on the team fulfills their responsibility, this team is going to be dangerous,” Okamura said. “This is a team that is 200 times different than last year.”
The most-talked about number during preseason training wasn’t the amount of matches the Vulcans won last season or the goals they allowed.
It was UH-Hilo’s preseason rank of 14th, which is last in the conference and “fantastic,” according to Okamura, who is looking to sneak up on the opposition.
It’s understandable what the league’s coaches were thinking. The Vulcans didn’t win a conference match in 2016, giving them just eight such wins the past three seasons.
But that doesn’t mean the players have to like it.
“Of course, it’s motivation,” Sagami said. “I don’t think we should rank that low. It’s just a number, but if anything we should play harder because we have something to prove.”