UH-Hilo soccer teams see split success
SAN RAFAEL, California – The UH-Hilo men’s and women’s soccer teams traveled to Dominican University of California on Thursday.
The Vulcans’ women’s team notched a shutout victory, while the men suffered a loss.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
Just days after hitting her first collegiate goal in career game No. 29, fifth-year senior Megan Donovan added two more scores to lead the No. 6 UH-Hilo Women’s Soccer team past Dominican 3-0 Thursday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at Kennelly Field.
The Vulcans got on the board during the 11th minute as Filippa Graneld set up a cross from 30 yards out. Jazlynn Ellis then won the battle for position on the other end and volleyed the ball over to a waiting Donovan for the clear finish.
The Penguins took just two shots in the opening half as the Vulcans finished with a 19-6 edge in shots at 8-1 for shots on goal.
Donovan added another score in the 57th minute, this time connecting directly with Graneld on the other end of a 30-yarder between two defenders before slotting in a shot past the goalkeeper through the top-left corner.
Just four minutes later, Teani Arakawa led a charge around the left edge of the Penguins defense before hitting a shot off the left post for Ellis to clean up into the open net for the third score of the game, as well as her third goal in the last three matches.
Phoebe Barnes and Courtney Linn once again combined to post a team shutout with one save recorded. It was the third consecutive match the Vulcans had not allowed a goal.
With the victory, the Vulcans extended their regular-season unbeaten streak to 31 games dating back to Oct. 3, 2021.
UH-Hilo moved to a 6-0-1 record (2-0-0 Pacific West Conference) while Dominican moved to 3-5-1 (0-1-1 PacWest).
The Vulcans will close their Northern California trip this Saturday against Fresno Pacific.
UH-Hilo will return home Oct. 7 to host HPU to start a string of six home games.
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MEN’S SOCCER
It was a tough go for the Vulcans Thursday morning as the UH-Hilo Men’s Soccer team fell to defending PacWest Conference Co-Champion Dominican, 4-1, at Kennelly Field.
Colby Lee scored his first goal of the season with an equalizing header on a long ball from Alex Carmona in the 22nd minute.
Dominican retook the lead about 10 minutes later as Diego Grande connected for his second goal of the match.
The Penguins padded their lead in the 68th minute with a penalty kick score after a Vulcans handball violation inside the penalty box. Lex Bernier slipped it through before Cole Porter headed in another goal in the final minutes of the match.
The preseason No. 1 team held a slight 21-15 advantage in shots with 12-5 for shots on goal.
UH-Hilo keeper Christian Souza came up with eight saves.
UH-Hilo moved to 4-3-0 (1-1-0 PacWest) while Dominican moved to a 4-3-1 (2-0-0 PacWest) record.
The Vulcans will finish their Northern California road trip this Saturday against Fresno Pacific.
UH-Hilo will return home and island hop to O’ahu to close out the non-conference slate against HPU on Oct. 4 before hosting the Sharks Oct. 7 in PacWest Conference play.
