LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Rested and ready, the Hawai`i Hilo men's soccer team used two weeks of preparation and healing to give Cal State Los Angeles a game battle during a 1-0 non-conference loss on Tuesday afternoon at the Jesse Owens Track.

It was a moral victory of sorts for the Vulcans, playing against one of the top teams in a loaded soccer conference, the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Nonetheless, the Golden Eagles improved to 6-1 on the season, while UH Hilo dropped to 0-3.

It was UHH's first match in over two weeks, and their offense struggled to get into any kind of sync. But their defense was up to the task, holding a team that has outscored their opponents 15-4 on the year, to just one goal—and that came on a penalty kick right before the end of the first half.

Kareem Salem flicked in the free shot with 43:18 on the clock to give the Golden Eagles the only score that they would need on the day. It was the only opportunity that the home team would convert, and they had plenty.

Cal State LA outshot the Vulcans 22-2, including 10-1 on goal. Junior Vulcan goalkeeper Nick Williams had nine saves in the match, and his defense helped direct another 12 shots away from the goal. The Golden Eagles also had an 11-0 advantage on corner kicks.

It was a solid effort against a team that has already beaten two other Pacific West Conference squads this year—Point Loma (3-0) and Concordia (2-1).

"We played terrific on the defensive end," said UHH head coach Gene Okamura. "They are a solid side. We just need to create more chances on the offensive end."

The match was the first of four dates in eight days in southern California. Next up for the Vulcans is their PacWest opener on Thursday in Riverside against California Baptist, 4 p.m. Pacific. The Lancers are ranked No. 20 in the latest national poll and are 4-0-1.