UH-H athletics: Reigning PacWest POYs take Player of the Week honors; Vulcan Challenge information
A big week for UH-Hilo women’s soccer ended with sweeping the Pacific West Conference weekly awards for Player of the Week, Defender of the Week and Team of the Week. Reigning PacWest Conference Player of the Year Teani Arakawa and reigning PacWest Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Phoebe Barnes were announced Monday afternoon as recipients of the weekly individual accolades after going 1-0-1 with a scoreless draw against Cal State San Bernardino and a key 4-0 victory over No. 8 Seattle Pacific.
It was a record-breaking performance for Arakawa not only with a hat-trick of three goals and an assist against the eighth-ranked Falcons, but also for becoming the UH-Hilo Women’s Soccer program’s all-time career leader with 54 points and counting — surpassing Kristine Pasek (Stancil) (11-14). The Maui native joined the Vulcans in fall of 2022 as a sophomore transfer and now carries career totals of 21 goals and 12 assists.
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“Maybe looking back when I’m done, I can really see that the hard work paid off — coming to practices, working out on my own during the summers,” Arakawa said. “Hopefully, other girls will follow and maybe wanting to get past the mark I’ve made here. But for now, I’m just taking it day by day and working on the things we need to work on.”
On the other end of the field, Barnes has kept a clean sheet through the first three games of the season, coming up with five total saves through last week’s two matches.
“All three shutouts we had on the road have been a team effort,” Barnes said. “We only really have one starting returner in the backline so we really wanted to come out and work as a unit.”
The Vulcans also earned PacWest Conference Team of the Week distinction for their top-10 upset of Seattle Pacific.
Vulcan Challenge 2024
UH-Hilo kicks off its third Vulcan Challenge to raise funds in support UH-Hilo Vulcans Athletics.
In partnership with the UH Foundation, Vulcan Challenge 2024 runs through Oct. 17 with the goal of raising $150,000 for immediate support of UH-Hilo’s student-athletes during the 2024-25 academic year.
“These contributions make a real difference for our student-athletes, enabling them to thrive both academically and athletically,” UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin said. “The funds raised directly contribute to their success and well-being, empowering them to reach new heights.”
The Vulcans are coming off a highly successful 2023-24 year, having re-captured the Pacific West Conference Men’s Golf Championship and the PacWest Hawai’i Challenge. One of UH-Hilo’s proudest achievements was the academic performance of its student-athletes, setting a new program record of attaining an impressive grade-point average of 3.28.
KTA Super Stores and the Taniguchi family are continuing their loyal support of the Vulcan Challenge by matching the first $25,000 in gifts.
“We are so grateful for Toby Taniguchi and his team KTA Super Stores and their steadfast support of the Vulcan Challenge and Vulcans Athletics,” UH-Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen said. “This is the third time they are making a $25,000 matching gift, and it is in loving memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, KTA Super Stores’ founders.”
Donors can select a sport-specific program or choose to support the athletics director’s general fund, which will help in responding to urgent needs for critical services. Donations can also go toward supporting Vulcans Athletics sports medicine.
The last Vulcan Challenge in 2022 raised $161,120.
