HILO, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Hilo men's soccer team fell to visiting Westminster College, 3-1, Friday afternoon in non-conference play at the Vulcan Soccer Field.
Redshirt-senior Luke Merrill led the Griffins with two scores and an assist to factor in all three goals.
Zach Moss was the beneficiary of Merrill's assist on a long cross from the right-edge of the penalty box that found Moss on the opposite end of the goal area for a direct shot and third score of the game.
Merrill scored early in the match fueled by a deep down-field pass from Jace Vance. From there, Merrill beat four Vulcan defenders and volleyed the ball through the opposite side of the goal.
His second goal happened in a matter of moments to open the latter half of the game as Din Huremovic sliced his way through four defenders before squeaking the ball through to Merrill for the quick score.
The Vulcans prevented the shutout with Koki Hamada (Kita, Tokyo, Japan/High Mowing School) hitting on a late-penalty kick after a Griffins defender committed a handball violation on Hamada's preceding throw-in toward the goal.
Anree Bogart (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake HS) made his first start at goalkeeper for UH Hilo, making five saves.
Noah Larkin got the win with a total of three saves.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo fell to 1-1-0 as Westminster improved to an even record at 2-2-0.
The Vulcans will hit the road for a two-game trip with games against Cal State Monterey Bay (1-2-1) on Sept. 12 and San Francisco State (1-1-1) on Sept. 14.
The Otters previously played to a 1-1 draw with Holy Names and a 2-1 loss to Dominican. Their previously scheduled game for this past Wednesday was canceled due to high temperature from a heat wave in California.
The Gators defeated Academy of Art, 7-0, last Friday and will play Dominican this Sunday.
Westminster will play Hawai'i Pacific on Sunday.
