UHH women’s soccer: Meet the incoming class of Okamura’s nine-year tenure

HILO — Entering the ninth season as UH-Hilo women’s soccer coach, Gene Okamura welcomes his largest incoming class with 16 newcomers set to join the Vulcans in just under a month’s time.

The 2024 recruiting class is comprised of three freshmen, two sophomores, eight juniors and three fifth-year seniors. The newcomers are products of Texas, Wisconsin, Utah, New Mexico, Kentucky and California (11). Pre-transfer destinations include four from Division-I schools and six from across Division-II institutions — including one from a Pacific West Conference school after code 6.2.1 was recently abolished to eliminate the one-year-residence requirement for intra-conference transfers.

“We are very excited to welcome this talented recruiting class to our program this fall,” Okamura said. “This is one of our deepest and most talented recruiting classes in my time here. This recruiting class will come in and contribute to our success and elevate the overall standard of our program. We can’t wait to see how these players impact our program during their time here.”

Okamura replaces 10 departures from a season ago — eight to graduation/exhausted eligibility — many of whom walked away as two-time PacWest Conference Champions from 2021 and 2022.

This year’s squad sports 15 seniors, 12 juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen.

UH-Hilo will have a 17-match regular-season slate that gets started Sept. 4 with a home exhibition against HPU.

Shea Christiansen

DEF | 5’5 | 5TH | Pleasant Grove, Uta. | Pleasant Grove HS / Weber State

• Spent four years at Weber State University (Utah)

• Appeared in 56 games (34 starts) for the Wildcats

• 2024 (Spring) Bachelor’s of Science – Rehabilitation Sciences

• Big Sky All-Academic Team (x4)

• 2020 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School (Utah)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer

• Played club for LaRoca

• 2019 Utah State Cup Champion, 2019 Regional Tournament Runner-Up, 2018 National Championship Runner-Up

• Other Sports: Basketball

Major: Psychology

Aubrey Swindle

FWD | 5’4 | 5TH | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Centennial HS / Fort Lewis

• Spent four years at Fort Lewis College (Colorado)

• Played in 61 matches with 33 starts over four seasons with the Skyhawks

• Totaled 12 goals (five game-winners) and four assists

• Honors: All-RMAC Team (x2), 2020-21 Fort Lewis College Newcomer of the Year

• RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll (x2)

• 2024 (Spring) Bachelor’s of Science – Exercise Physiology

• Also a member of the Skyhawks Women’s Track &Field team for 2023-24 season

• 2020 graduate of Centennial High School (New Mexico)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Alex Reyes

• 2020 State Runner-Up, District Champion (x3), LCPS Champion (x4)

• Honors: North vs. South All-Star Game

• Other Sports: Track &Field

Major: Psychology

Why UH-Hilo: “To join a soccer culture that is family oriented, competitive and dedicated. I wanted to come to a program that will embrace me with open arms and challenge me to become the best version of myself as a teammate and as a player, and I believe it is at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo that I will elevate in all aspects of my life.”

Savina Zamborini

MID | 5’7 | 5TH | Louisville, Ky. | duPont Manual HS / Louisville

• Spring 2024 enrollee

• Spent four years at University of Louisville (Kentucky)

• Played in 60 games with 48 starts over four seasons for the Cardinals

• Totaled two goals and one assist

• All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team (x2)

• 2020 graduate of duPont Manual High School (Kentucky)

• 2019 District Champion

• Honors: 2019 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Team, 2019 All-State First Team, 2019 All-Region First Team, 2018 All State All-American, 2018 All-State Second Team, 2017 All-Region Second Team

Major: Chemistry

Rya Cabral

DEF | 5’3 | JR | Cypress, Calif. | Cypress HS / Long Beach City College

• Spent two years at Long Beach City College (California) playing for coaches Eduardo Nunes, Luis Segovia, Monique Segovia

• Started in over 30 games across two seasons with the Vikings, helping the defense post over 20 combined shutouts

• 2023 South Coast Conference Tournament Champion

• 2023 United Soccer Coaches JC All-America Second Team, South Coast Conference South Division Defensive Player of the year (x2)

• 2022 graduate of Cypress High School (California)

• Played three seasons of varsity soccer for coach Nicole Woiemberghe

• Played club for Slammers Club Team

Major: Administration of Justice

Why UH-Hilo: “It’s a beautiful place filled with new adventures.”

Haley Clark

DEF | 5’4 | JR | Riverside, Calif. | Santiago HS / Cal State LA

• Spent two years at California State University, Los Angeles

• Played in 37 matches, making 24 starts over two seasons with the Golden Eagles

• 2022 CCAA Tournament Champion

• CCAA Academic Honor Roll (x2)

• 2022 graduate of Santiago High School (California)

• Played two seasons of varsity soccer for coaches Michael Fleming and Shayon Jalayer

• Honors: All-CIF (x2), All-County, All-League First Team (x2)

• Played club for Future Fc

Why UH-Hilo: “The welcoming community, culture and team environment. The opportunities provided toward my education and athletics will support me in reaching my future goals and aspirations.”

Valeria Da Silva

DEF | 5’5 | JR | Yorba Linda, Calif. | Yorba Linda HS / Illinois-Chicago

• Spring 2024 enrollee

• Spent one and a half years at University of Illinois Chicago

• Played in 20 games through two seasons with the Flames

• Tallied one assist and contributed to eight total combined shutouts

• 2022 graduate of Yorba Linda High School (California)

• Played club for Legends FC G03 ECNL

• 2021 Surf Cup Champion

Major: Political Science

Why UH-Hilo: “It was an opportunity I could not pass up. Being able to play the game I love and study in such a beautiful place with great people is a dream.”

Diana Garcia

MID | 5’6 | JR | Sanger, Calif. | Sanger HS / Fresno Pacific

• Spent two years at Fresno Pacific University (California)

• Played in 30 matches, making 28 starts through two seasons with the Sunbirds

• 2022 graduate of Sanger High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Angel Cabral

• 2022 CIF Central Section Division II Champion, 2022 County Metro Athletic Conference Champion

• Honors: All-League First Team (x3)

• Played club for Clovis Crossfire GA

Major: Psychology

Why UH-Hilo: “It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. So many signs were shown that Hilo was the one. Great program and truly an amazing place to be in.”

Mel Guerrero

MID | 5’2 | JR | Compton, Calif. | Dominguez HS / Long Beach City College

• Spent two years at Long Beach City College (California) playing for coach Eduardo Nunes

• Played in at least 36 games, making 35 starts over two seasons with the Vikings

• Tallied two goals and four assists

• 2023 South Coast Conference Tournament Champion

• Honors: All-SCC South Division First Team (x2)

• 2022 graduate of Dominguez High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Adan Vasquez

• Honors: 2022 San Gabriel Valley All-League Team

• Played club for CDA Slammers

Major: Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences

Grace Ingalls

DEF | 5’3 | JR | Fountain Valley, Calif. | Edison HS / Sonoma State

• Spent two years at Sonoma State University (California)

• Played in 28 matches, making 15 starts over two seasons with the Seawolves

• 2022 CCAA Regular Season Champion

• Honors: CSC Academic All-District Team, CCAA Academic Honor Roll

• 2022 graduate of Edison High School (California)

• Played three seasons of varsity soccer for coach Kerry Mac

• 2021 CIF Semifinalist

• Honors: 2022 All-League First Team, 2021 All-League Second Team

• Played club for SC Blues

• Has a twin sister

Major: Psychology

Jordan Schaden

MID | 5’3 | JR | Appleton, Wisc. | Appleton East HS / Bemidji State

• Spent two years at Bemidji State University (Minnesota)

• Played in 48 games with four starts over two seasons with the Beavers

• 2022 NCAA Central Regional Champion, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament Champion (x2)

• NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence

• 2022 graduate of Appleton East High School (Wisconsin)

• Played club for North Shore United

• 2021-22 USYS National League Champion, 2020 Wisconsin Youth Soccer State Champion

• Other Sports: Basketball

Major: Environmental Science

Annette Sotelo

MID | 5’2 | JR | San Marcos, Calif. | Mission Hills HS / Sonoma State

• Spent two years at Sonoma State University (California)

• Started in 26 matches over two seasons with the Seawolves

• Totaled 11 goals (three game-winners) with three multi-goal performances

• Helped claim third-consecutive CCAA Regular Season title in 2022

• Honors: 2022 D2 CCA All-West Region Second Team, 2022 CCAA Freshman of the Year, 2022 All-CCAA Second Team

• 2022 graduate of Mission Hills High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Jeremy Hixon

• Honors: All-League First Team

• Played club for San Marcos Revolution

• Other Sports: Track &Field

Major: Communication

Why UH-Hilo: “I was recruited by the soccer coach.”

Kaytlin Blair

GK | 5’5 | SO | Dallas, Texas | Rowlett HS / Pacific Union

• Spent one year at Pacific Union College (California)

• Played in 12 games, making 10 starts in goal for the Pioneers

• Posted a 6-2-1 record and totaled 32 saves with five shutouts.

• 2023 graduate of Rowlett High School (Texas)

• Played varsity soccer for coaches Gwen (Temecula Valley HS), Jason (Rowlett HS)

• 2022 CIF State Division I Regional Champion, 2022 CIF Southern Section Division 1 Champion

• Played club for City Sc, Solar Dallas

• Has a twin sister

Major: Business Administration

Why UH-Hilo: “The soccer team plays at a level that I want to compete at, and I feel I’m ready to compete at. Growing up in California and Texas most of my life, I wanted to live somewhere a little different.”

Elise Flores

F/MF | 5’6 | SO | Arroyo Grande, Calif. | Arroyo Grande HS / Grand Canyon

• Spring 2024 enrollee

• Spent one semester at Grand Canyon University (Arizona)

• 2023 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Champion

• 2023 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School (California)

• Played three seasons of varsity soccer for coach Matt Carinio

• Honors: All-League First Team (x3)

• Played club for Eagles ECNL

• Other Sports: Track &Field

• Has a twin brother

Major: Communication

Why UH-Hilo: “The great program and the location of the school.”

Tatianna Chavez

FWD | 5’2 | FR | Lakewood, Calif. | Cerritos HS

• 2024 graduate of Cerritos High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Robert Adams

• ECRL West Region Champion, Surf Cup Champion

• Other Sports: Track &Field

Major: Psychology

Maia Hales

DEF | 5’8 | FR | Eureka, Calif. | Eureka HS

• 2024 graduate of Eureka High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer

• CIF-North Coast Section Division-1 Champion (x3), Big 4 League Champion (x3)

• Honors: 2022 All-County MVP, 2021 Big 5 All-League Selection, Team Captain (x3)

• Played club for Cal North ODP, Sequoia FC, West Coast SC

• 2023 ODP 17U Far West Champion

• Other Sports: Basketball

Major: Biology

Why UH-Hilo: “The welcoming team, coaching staff and the location.”

Alexandra Vital

DEF | 5’5 | FR | San Diego, Calif. | Mater Dei Catholic HS

• 2024 graduate of Mater Dei Cathoic High School (California)

• Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coaches Oscar, Miguel, Ivan, Alexis

• Played club for San Diego Surf, Matrix

• Other Sports: Track &Field

Major: Business Administration – Marketing

Why UH-Hilo: “Location. Sports offer.”