Coming off a four-save performance in a 1-0 shutout victory over San Francisco State last Sunday, UH-Hilo Men’s Soccer goalkeeper Christian Souza was named Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week.
The Vulcans are on the road to Southern California for a two-game slate against CSU San Marcos (Sept. 16) and CSU Dominguez Hills (Sept. 18) before returning to the Big Island to host Chaminade next Thursday, Sept. 21.
Before departing for the mainland, Souza — a Kapolei, Hawai’i native (Damien Memorial School ‘20) — talked with the UH-Hilo Sports Information Office to discuss and reflect on his time as a Vulcan.
Below are some excerpts from the discussion.
‘Dippy’ Nickname
“Well, the nickname itself actually stands for some vulgar language, but basically it began from me training with my sister at a young age.
“If I were to mess up or anything, they would want to call me another word but they couldn’t really swear in front of their coach so the first word that came out of my sister’s teammate’s mouth was ‘dippy,’ and it kind of just stuck from there.”
Choosing UH-Hilo and avoiding traffic
“I kind of just wanted to make any college roster, which led me to UH-Hilo. I really wanted to stay close to home.
“I also didn’t want to go to any O‘ahu schools because living in Kapolei and going into town every morning — waking up at like five o’clock, even earlier — I kind of wanted to get away from the traffic so staying in O‘ahu was not really my choice, and I thought it would have been the perfect pick for me staying close to home.
“I wanted to represent Hawai‘i, living here my whole life and I think we have a special culture here in Hawai‘i that not a lot of people understand. Like one thing is family, I really wanted to be close to home … it’s really good for me and like with my mental state.”
Coming in as a freshman during the COVID-19 pandemic
“It was really different like, no fans at our games. I feel like I’m finally getting that college experience, like going out, talking with friends just seeing what Hilo has to offer and I feel like it’s a lot better than what it was during COVID.”
Upcoming road trip
“I’d say, different change of scenery. I think actually last year too when we did our preseason away, I believe it was North Cal, the weather temperature was completely different than what it is here.
“I know a lot of boys are starting to get accustomed to like the humidity, the heat, but when we go up there it’s going to be a completely different atmosphere and I think like just have to be eventually prepared for like what’s going to be there ahead.”