UH-Hilo women’s soccer team finally scored, but finding the net did not equate to finding victory thanks to Fresno Pacific’s late-game dash.
UH-Hilo women’s soccer team finally scored, but finding the net did not equate to finding victory thanks to Fresno Pacific’s late-game dash.
The Vulcans were denied an upset of one of the top teams in the Pacific West Conference on Monday as the Sunbirds scored twice in the final 12 minutes for a 2-1 victory at Kamehameha’s Paiea Stadium in Keaau.
UH-Hilo (6-9-1, 3-8-1 PacWest) lost its six consecutive match despite getting a goal from Leighana Weaver just before halftime. The score was the first for the Vulcans since their last win, Oct. 7 at Hawaii Pacific.
Vulcans goalkeeper Jenna Hufford was working on a shutout until a handball was called in the 79th minute, and Mariah Montoya converted the penalty kick for her fifth goal of the season.
The Sunbirds (9-6-1, 9-2) avoided overtime in the 89th minute when Whitney Snow scored off a rebound of her own shot, running Fresno Pacific’s winning streak to seven in a row.
The Vulcans have suffered six one-goal losses this season and the defeat in their penultimate match ensures they will finish with a losing record for the third consecutive season.
Weaver’s first goal of 2017 came after she corralled a touch pass from Clarissa Guerrero, dribbled past a defender, drew out the goalkeeper and delivered the ball into the right corner of the net.
In the men’s game, Gabriel Batista’s goal in the 80th minute lifted the Sunbirds to a 3-2 victory after the teams combined for four goals in the first half.
Looking to build off their first win of the season, the Vulcans (1-14, 1-11) fought back from an early 2-0 deficit on goals by Bryan Reynoso (fifth of season) and Evan Becani (first). Jonathan Garcia assisted on both.
Fresno Pacific (7-9, 6-5) put 13 shots on frame. After Sergio Segura scored in the opening minute, Anthony Velarde tacked on his 10th goal of the season.