SANTA BARBARA, California – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Soccer is moving on to the Pacific West Conference Championships title match after defeating Vanguard, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon in the semifinal round of the four-team conference tournament hosted at Westmont's Thorrington Field.

Jakob Santiago netted the first score in the 11th minute, and Kanata Taira added another goal in the 65th minute.

Vanguard managed to get a goal back with a score late in the 88th minute, but it was too late as the Vulcans prevailed to extend their trip to Saturday's championship match taking on Point Loma.

GAME NOTES

• Hawai'i Hilo fell to Vanguard, 2-1, a month ago in Hilo during regular-season play.
• The Vulcans defeated Point Loma, 2-0, back on Oct. 23 at the Vulcan Soccer Field.
• Point Loma defeated Fresno Pacific, 4-1, on the other side of the PacWest Tournament bracket.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 11-4-2 Overall (7-2-1 PacWest)
• Vanguard: 9-5-4 Overall (7-1-2 PacWest)

PACWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS (SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA AT WESTMONT COLLEGE)

• Thursday, Nov. 13: Semifinal Round 
  • 9 AM: (#1) Point Loma 4 - (#4) Fresno Pacific 1
  • NOON: (#2) Vanguard 1 - (#3) Hawai'i Hilo 2
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Championship Match
  • 10 AM: (#1) Point Loma vs (#3) Hawai'i Hilo

BEST AMONG THE WEST (AND SOUTH CENTRAL)

Hawai'i Hilo came in ranked at No. 12 in the latest official NCAA Super 4 Region Rankings. PacWest, GNAC and CCAA, Lone Star Conference and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions receive automatic bids with five more teams selected from the final region rankings in qualifying for the NCAA Super 4 Regional Rounds.

NCAA Selection Show is Monday, Nov. 17 on the NCAA.com website.