HILO, Hawai'i – The Vulcans struck first but a pair of second-half penalty kicks doomed the Hawai'i Hilo men's soccer team as it fell to Dominican, 3-1, Monday afternoon to open Pacific West Conference action at the Vulcan Soccer Field.

Tom Vorkastner netted his first score of the season at the 20-minute mark to get the Vulcans on the scoreboard. The junior found himself on the receiving end of a long-range pass down the field, and after winning the one-on-one battle against a Penguins defender, Vorkastner sliced and diced his way through three defenders and nailed the ball past the keeper for the goal.

Anree Bogart made his third start in goal and made three saves with a first-half clean sheet after putting in spectacular work.

But early in the second half, the Vulcans were called on a handball inside their own penalty area to set up the equalizing score on a penalty kick by Brian Sanchez. Then in the 56th minute, the Penguins got the lead on another penalty kick, this time after a foul in the penalty area with Aboubacar Cisse converting.

Hawai'i Hilo wasn't able to get any shots off in the second half as Dominican extended its lead late in the 78th minute on a free-kick cross that was shouldered in by Nick Van der Waart van Gulik.

What's Next

Hawai'i Hilo fell to 1-4-2 overall and opens PacWest play at 0-1-0 while Dominican improved to 5-3-0, 1-0-0 PacWest.

The Vulcans wrap up the home stand this Saturday, Oct. 1 against Academy of Art (0-1-0 PacWest, 3-4-1 overall) at 3 p.m.

For Saturday's soccer doubleheader, the first 100 University of Hawai'i at Hilo students who attend will receive a voucher for a free drink and pizza slice from concessions.

The Penguins travel to O'ahu to play Hawai'i Pacific and Chaminade this week.