WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – It seemed the 2023 season-opening match was in the waning moments of ending in a draw, but a literal last-minute goal allowed Western Oregon to squeak by the Hawai'i Hilo Men's Soccer team, 2-1, Thursday afternoon in a non-conference matchup at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex in central O'ahu.
In the 89th minute, WOU's Alejandro Velasco got the ball on the backside of the goal with the Vulcans out of position. After dribbling across three defenders, Velasco shot across his body to hit the far corner of the net for the game-winner. Millan Marco was credited with an assist on the score.
"Can't fault the performance. Super pleased with the way the boys came out," first-year (acting) head coach Diego Marroquin said. "Unfortunate at the ending with the goal, but credit Western Oregon. They did what they needed to do. We go back next week and train, attack our deficiencies and improve. That's it."
The Wolves got on the scoreboard late in the first half with a penalty-kick goal by Jacob Garcia in the 41st minute.
After intermission, Hawai'i Hilo evened the score up in the 59th minute on Tom Vorkastner's high-arcing top-of-the-net blast from about 60 yards out.
From there out, it was a well-evened struggle with the Vulcans getting just a few breakaway-opportunities but just couldn't find the back of the net.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo starts the season at 0-1-0 while Western Oregon moves to a 1-0-0 record.
The Vulcans are back in action Sunday, Sept. 10 for their home opener against San Francisco State.
