FRESNO, Calif.—In the final regular season match of the year, a team still in the post-season hunt didn't let down as host Fresno Pacific took down visiting Hawaii Hilo 5-0 in a men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Ramirez Field.
It marked the end of the season for the Vulcans, who finished at 4-12 on the year and 3-8 in the Pacific West Conference. The Sunbirds wrap up the regular season in second place in the PacWest (9-2) and 13-3-1 overall. They are fourth in the NCAA West Region rankings, in solid shape to advance to the post-season with today's victory.
The Sunbirds scored twice in the first half, and added three more scores after the break. Eric Sanchez tallied the first goal in the 21
st minute, and Isaiah Asencio added another just two minutes later (22:17). Jesse Hoekstra found the net twice in the second half to add to the festive day for FPU, Joao Ravasio added the final touch at 87:17.
Fresno Pacific sent 32 shots towards the Vulcan net, 13 of them on goal. The Vulcans had five shots, but none of them did keeper Patrick Timmer have to save.
Vulcan senior goalkeeper
Nick Williams had eight saves in his final match, giving him 94 on the season, a UH Hilo single season record.
UH Hilo, under first-year coach
Paul Regrutto, doubled their win total from a year ago. The four wins equals the most for the Vulcans since the 2014 squad went 7-9-2.