It’s the email every UH-Hilo coach wants to receive.
It’s the email every UH-Hilo coach wants to receive.
Jaimie Salas, a Division I player, was looking for a change, and soccer director Gene Okamura didn’t have to think long and hard when the former Arizona State forward’s message hit his inbox.
“I knew Arizona State was in the Pac-12 and USC was the defending national champion,” Okamura said. “The fact that she was on the team in the same conference as the national champion, I knew there was something about her.”
The “something” has been what was once a rare commodity for the program: goals.
Fair or unfair, there can be an assumption, no matter the sport, that a Division I player who transfers down to the D-II Vulcans should become a instant force.
“There was pressure,” Salas said. “‘Like, the ASU player is here, time to perform.”
She has done little to dispel the notion, scoring four goals and earning Pacific West Conference Player of the Week as the Vulcans secured their first 3-0 start in program history.
Salas, who played in 16 matches for the Sun Devils last season, registering an assist, said she only sent two emails to prospective new coaches.
“I wanted to get out of Arizona, and I wanted to go somewhere cool,” Salas said. “(Coach) was persistent and I thought it was a sign. I need to be there.”
If she’s smiling Saturday during UH-Hilo’s home opener against Hawaii Pacific (a 2 p.m. nonconference match at Kamehameha’s Paiea Field), it could because the Vulcans are winning again or she’s scored again, but it will most definitely be because she’s found fun on the soccer field again.
A lifelong resident of the dessert, the self-described “family girl” truly has located greener pastures.
“I love it here, and I love the team and I love the coach,” Salas said. “I love the Hawaii life. I love Hilo, it’s such a different vibe and everybody is so nice.
“I wanted to get back to basics of enjoying the game. I have a clean mind-set. Just be ready to play and kick some butt.”
Coming off a campaign in which UH-Hilo netted only 16 goals in 16 games in going 5-7-4, the Vulcans already have nine goals before they hit their PacWest slate, and Salas already has matched Tiera Arakawa’s team-high goal total from last season, needing just eight shots to do so.
The finishing skills at striker displayed by Salas, Kamehameha grad Bryana-Marie Ebbers (two goals) and Kayela Santiago (one) are the most noticeable improvement from last season.
“They’re are creating opportunities and being very dangerous,” Okamura said.
However, he’s been just happy with the play of his midfielders – Arakawa, Astrid Perez, Carlie Reader, Taylor Greenwood and Waiakea graduate Sabrina Scott – as well as the organization of the backline.
“We connect well,” Salas said. “(Tiera) calm downs the midfield and does a good job of making things happen.
“Carlie is a monster out there. She can body anybody up. It’s good to have the strength in there.”
Shark talk
The Vulcans and Sharks (3-1), who lead the all-time series 10-7-5, each have similar wins against Pace on their resume, though UH-Hilo has a victory over a Concordia team that beat Hawaii Pacific 2-1 on Oahu.
Both teams have stout goalkeepers. Senior Jenna Hufford is already UH-Hilo’s all-time leader in saves (248) and shutouts (nine), while HPU’s Lauren Spencer has a 0.99 goal-against-average with 19 saves on the season.
Taking care of business at home could be all the more important for the Vulcans since next up they must hit the road for a three-match swing through Southern California against the upper echelon of the PacWest (California Baptist, Concordia and Azusa Pacific).
“We had to remind ourselves that winning is special,” Salas said. “It’s something that is important and we need to keep on working hard.
“We had a good week of practice. Getting in a lot of work.”