HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Soccer opened the 2026 season with a 2-1 win over HPU in non-conference play Thursday afternoon at Vulcan Soccer Field.
Keita Goto opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a direct kick through the upper-left corner to give the Vulcans an early 1-0 lead. HPU's Kelly Takara pulled the Sharks level in the 65th minute off an assist from Olle Ridelius.
Yoke Duku answered for Hawai'i Hilo in the 77th minute, converting off a headed feed from Teun van Gansewinkel for the game-winner.
Vulcans starters: Tim Teicher, Nico Rahman, Yannick Langerhuizen, Henrique Lobato, Gudmundur Ingason, Keita Goto, Kristijan Bandur, Teun van Gansewinkel, Yoke Duku, Diego Solorio and Kanilau Tolentino-Perry.
GAME NOTES
- HPU: 0-1-0 Overall (0-0-0 PacWest)
- Honolulu, Hawai'i (O'ahu)
- Conference Preseason Poll: No. 6
- Hawai'i Hilo: 1-0-0 Overall (0-0-0 PacWest)
- Conference Preseason Poll: No. 3
- The two teams will meet again Oct. 17 on O'ahu in Pacific West Conference play.
- 3-1 record in season openers under Vulcans fourth-year head coach Diego Marroquin (2023-2026).
- Thursday's match marked the first use of the Video Review System, which allows coaches to challenge calls made on the field. HPU challenged the Vulcans' game-winning goal, questioning whether the attacking team committed an offense prior to or in the process of scoring, but the call on the field was confirmed.
UP NEXT
- Saturday, Aug. 29 (2:30 PM) at Chaminade (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
- Wednesday, Sept. 2 (4 PM) vs UT Dallas (Vulcan Soccer Field)
- Vulcan Athletics Stress Ball Giveaway
- Wednesday, Sept. 9 (2 PM / 6 PM MT) at No. 18 UCCS (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
PACWEST PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 3 in the PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans went 12-6-2 overall last fall with a runner-up finish at the PacWest Championships and its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance and victory in the NCAA Super 4 Region First Round. The 2026 PacWest Championships will be hosted by Dominican on Nov. 5-7 in San Rafael, California.
PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS
Tickets for the Vulcans' six home matches at the on-campus Vulcan Soccer Field are available for purchase at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. Season tickets are $70 ($35 for seniors aged 65-plus and middle/high school students) and include admission to all 13 total Vulcans Soccer (both Men's and Women's) home contests this fall.
BUY LIVESTREAM PACKAGE
Video livestreaming will be available for all home events this season through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/livestream. Single-game passes are offered at $15 with a season-package price of $60 for six games (now $50).
