Vulcans burst through for 2-0 season-opening victory
HILO — After a scoreless first half, the Hawai’i Hilo men’s soccer team burst through for a pair of goals to down Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2-0, Thursday afternoon in a non-conference season opener at the Vulcan Soccer Field.
Aidan Santos slashed a 20-yarder off a long-ball assist by Tom Vorkastner on a counter attack just a few minutes into the second half. Later with time winding down, Shudai Ito sent a free kick in from about 50 yards out as Felix Drizinsky, standing tall at 6-foot-4, headed the ball up and over the keeper for the insurance score in the 83rd minute. Christian Souza pitched his fifth-career shutout with eight saves in the scorching afternoon sun. The fifth-year senior now moves to a tie at No. 3 all-time in Vulcans program history, equaling Dane Kaylor (07-10) and Tyler Hoffman (14-15).
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“We found a rhythm in the second half and found a way to grind out the result against a premier program in the west region,” Vulcans second-year head coach Diego Marroquin said. “Aidan came off the bench — it was a new role for him but he took it well and changed the game immediately. Felix, a new player, comes in with an unbelievable header so really excited for those two players to get on the scoresheet.”
Last season, the Vulcans fell on the road in a 1-0 result to the Toros. During halftime of that match, former head coach Garrett Estrin was honored along with many of his former teammates as part of the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship team.
“This match was circled on the calendar,” Marroquin said. “Not only was it an important test for where we’re at now, but also the dynamic with Coach Garrett still being a part of this team even though he’s away. It’s something the returning players talked about — wanting to get this win for him.
“I know in the tense moments, especially the last 10 minutes, some of the things he talked about last year about having the courage and rising up to the challenge — those things were definitely in the front of my mind.”
Up next
Hawai’i Hilo moved to 1-0-0 (0-0-0 Pacific West) while Cal State Dominguez Hills starts the season at 0-1.
The Vulcans will hop over to O’ahu for a non-conference bout against Chaminade on Saturday, Sept. 7 starting at noon.
