WAIPAHU — One goal was the difference as the UH-Hilo Men’s Soccer team closed its non-conference schedule Wednesday afternoon with a 1-0 loss to HPU at the Waipi’o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Erik Wikan netted the Sharks’ goal in the 18th minute with an assist from Sebastian Navarro.
UH-Hilo matched HPU with seven total shots but trailed 6-1 in shots on goal.
Sophomore Adam Frank made his seventh appearance in goal, finishing with five saves.
Six Vulcans in Wednesday’s lineup were making their second starts of the season.
UH-Hilo moved to 5-4-0 (2-1-0 PacWest) while HPU moved to a 2-7-2 (0-3-0 PacWest) record.
The two teams will meet back up this Saturday, Oct. 7 for a 12:30 p.m. start time at the Vulcan Soccer Field. This time, the match will count toward Pacific West Conference play.
Saturday’s contest will start a string of six straight home matches before island-hopping to O’ahu for the regular-season finale against Chaminade.
Single-game and season tickets are now available to be purchased online through UH-Hilo Vulcans Athletics’ recently launched online ticket platform in partnership with AudienceView Campus.
The 2023 slate will feature 15 total home matches at the Vulcan Soccer Field with a package price of $30 for adults and $25 for seniors (ages 65-plus) and middle/high school students.
Both can be accessed at HiloAthletics.com/tickets.
In an effort to elevate Hawai’i-based rivalries, the PacWest Hawaii Challenge has awarded the top school in athletics competition among the state’s Division II institutions going back to the late 1970s.
Comprised of 10 sports that all three schools participate in, points are awarded from head-to-head Pacific West Conference matchups as well as final placements at conference-ending meets and events. At the conclusion of each sport’s season, the team with the highest total gets three points while the second-highest gets two and the third-place finisher receives one.
The 2023-24 battle continues this Saturday, Oct. 7 when the UH-Hilo and HPU men’s and women’s soccer programs will go head-to-head at the Vulcan Soccer Field.