HILO, Hawai'i – The University of Hawai'i at Hilo Women's Soccer team is two weeks away from kicking off the 2023 season and will have nine new additions as part of the incoming class comprised of six transfers and three freshmen.
Of the incoming transfers — three of which were mid-year enrollees this past spring semester — four are arriving from Division-I programs while the remaining two are coming over from the California Collegiate Athletic Association. As a whole, 17 players on the roster have transferred in from a previous school.
The back-to-back defending Pacific West Conference Champions will be replacing 12 departed players — nine to graduation/eligibility exhaustion — from the 2022 squad that went 13-1-3 with a finish in the NCAA West Regional Second Round.
The 2023 team will be heavy-loaded on upperclassmen with 13 players classified as a senior and seven as a junior, leaving just seven underclassmen (three sophomores and four freshmen).
Head coach Gene Okamura will be entering his eighth season in charge of the Vulcans Women's Soccer program.
DEF/FWD | 5'10 | R-Jr. | Parker, CO | Ponderosa HS / Illinois Chicago
» Transferred to Hawai'i Hilo in spring 2023
» Spent two and a half years at University of Illinois Chicago
» Played in five games with one start for the Flames
» Two-year captain and served on the leadership council
» 2020 graduate of Ponderosa High School (Colorado)
» Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Jim Engels
» Honors: Continental League Player of the Year, All-State First Team, All-Conference First Team
» Played club for Real Colorado Soccer
Intended Major: Communication
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "After undergoing several injuries and three head-coaching changes at my old school, I wanted to pursue a healthier and happier environment."
DEF | 5'6 | Sr. | Elk Grove, CA | Franklin HS / Cal State East Bay
» Transferred to Hawai'i Hilo in spring 2023
» Spent two and a half years at California State University, East Bay
» Played in 29 games with 10 starts for the Pioneers
» Totaled three goals and one assist
» Played 38 minutes with one shot recorded against Hawai'i Hilo (Sept. 1, 2022)
» 2021 California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Champion
» 2020 graduate of Franklin High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity soccer
» Played club for FC Elk Grove
» 2017 NPL National Champion
Intended Major: Psychology
Why Hawai'i Hilo: The great soccer program.
DEF/FWD | 5'4 | Sr. | Albuquerque, NM | La Cueva HS / Long Island
» Transferred to Hawai'i Hilo in spring 2023
» Spent two and a half years at Long Island University (New York)
» Played in 25 games with 13 starts for the Sharks
» 2020 graduate of La Cueva High School (New Mexico)
» Played three seasons of varsity soccer for coach Amber Ashcraft
» 2017 New Mexico 6A State Champion
» Played club for Pateadores Developmental Academy
Intended Major: Biology
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "It is a highly competitive program in one of the most beautiful places in the world."
MID/FWD | 5'5 | Sr. | Pinole, CA | Miramonte HS / Sacramento State
» Spent first three years at California State University, Sacramento
» Played in 35 games with eight starts for the Hornets
» Totaled two goals and one assist
» Scored the lone goal of an eventual overtime penalty kicks loss to Weber State in the 2022 Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinals
» 2020 graduate of Miramonte High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity soccer for coach Barry McQuain
» 2019-20 CIF North Coast Section Champion, Northern California Champion
» Honors: All-Diablo Valley Conference First Team
» Played club for Lamorinda SC, Magic SC
Intended Major: Administration of Justice
GK | 5'10 | Jr. | La Crescenta, CA | Crescenta Valley HS / Sonoma State
» Spent first two years at Sonoma State University (California)
» Started 26 of 29 total matches played in for the Seawolves
» Finished with 82 saves, 11 shutouts and a 14-8 record
» Made three saves against Hawai'i Hilo in the 2021 NCAA West Regional First Round (Nov. 18, 2021)
» Career High: 11 Saves vs Western Washington (Sept. 12, 2021)
» 2020 graduate of Crescenta Valley High School (California)
» Played three seasons of varsity soccer
» Also participated in volleyball and lacrosse
» Played club for LA Breakers FC ECNL
Intended Major: Biology
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "To continue my academic and soccer career because of the winning legacy on the pitch and the solid sense of community in the classroom and off of the field."
DEF | 5'6 | R-Fr. | Colorado Springs, CO | Liberty HS / Loyola Chicago
» Spent first year at Loyola University Chicago (Illinois) but did not play
» 2022 graduate of Liberty High School (Colorado)
» Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Ross Johnson
» Honors: All-State Team (x2), All-Conference Team (x3)
» Played club for Pride Soccer Club ECNL
Intended Major: Biology + Agriculture
DEF | 5'5 | Fr. | Oceanside, CA | El Camino HS
» 2023 graduate of El Camino High School (California)
» Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Luis Casillas
» Honors: 2022-23 Avocado League Player of the Year
» Played club for City SC - Carlsbad DPL & GA
» 2022 Developmental Players League U17 National Champion
Intended Major: Business Administration
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "As a Hawaiian who has never had the opportunity to live in Hawai'i, it has been my dream to play for Hawai'i since I was eight years old. When I came for a visit and met with coach Okamura and the girls on the team, it just felt like the perfect fit for me. I cannot wait to play with this amazing team and do everything I can to help with another winning season!"
MID | 5'6 | Fr. | Santa Rosa, CA | Montgomery HS
» 2023 graduate of Montgomery High School (California)
» Played four seasons of varsity soccer for coach Pat McDonald
» Honors: All-League Oak Division Second Team
» Played club for De Anza Force
Intended Major: Business Administration
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "I love the island life and the ability to continue playing my sport!"
MID | 5'2 | Fr. | Orange County, CA | Santa Margarita Catholic HS
» 2023 graduate of Santa Margarita Catholic High School (California)
» Played two seasons of varsity soccer for coaches Craig Bill, Eddie Huerta and Cheyne Gordon
» 2022-23 Trinity League Champion, CIF Division I Southern Section Champion, CIF Regional Champion
» Played club for West Coast FC
Intended Major: Agriculture
Why Hawai'i Hilo: "Checked all my boxes for colleges: location, majors and the opportunity to play soccer."
