HILO, Hawai'i – Kanata Taira put through a pair of goals as Hawai'i Hilo Men's Soccer blanked HPU, 3-0, Thursday afternoon in a non-conference tilt at the Vulcan Soccer Field.
Iago Perez Ferreiro returned to action after missing the last two matches and helped put the Vulcans on the scoreboard first by flushing through a penalty kick in the 64th minute. Lukas Stark drew a foul inside the penalty area to set up the Vulcans' second PK attempt of the season.
Taira later connected with Kalen Toguchi and Palli Ingvason to punch through scores in the 71st and 75th minutes.
Senior Adam Frank went the full 90 in goal, making his sixth career start and first since Oct. 2023 against the Sharks. HPU totaled just three shots in Thursday's contest with none on goal (second career shutout for Frank). Hawai'i Hilo racked up 22 shots with 12 on goal.
OTHER NOTES
- Freshmen Kalen Toguchi and Nolan Richards both saw their first collegiate action.
- Fourth-year redshirt-junior Konner Jacang made his first appearance in a game since getting injured in his very first contest during the 2022 season opener at home against Cal Poly Humboldt.
- Hawai'i Hilo still currently sits at a tie for No. 2 in the PacWest Conference standings with 10 points. Vanguard (4-0-0) is ahead with 12 points while Point Loma (3-0-0), Fresno Pacific (3-1-0) and Concordia (3-2-0) are behind with nine points.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 5-4-2 Overall (3-2-1 PacWest)
- HPU: 5-4-2 Overall (2-3-0 PacWest)
UP NEXT
- Saturday, Oct. 18 (NOON) vs Chaminade (Honolulu, HI)
- Thursday, Oct. 23 (3 PM) vs Point Loma (Vulcan Soccer Field)
- Saturday, Oct. 25 (3 PM) vs Concordia (Vulcan Soccer Field)
- Thursday, Nov. 6 (3 PM) vs Chaminade (Vulcan Soccer Field)
PACWEST PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 2 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, tying with defending tournament champ Westmont in the second spot. The Vulcans finished the 2024 regular season at No. 5 in the conference standings and was one of four teams to qualify for the inaugural PacWest Conference Championships postseason tournament, falling to the Warriors in double overtime of the semifinal round. The 2025 PacWest Championships will be hosted by Westmont on Nov. 13-15 in Santa Barbara.
