CALIFORNIA – Hawai'i Hilo Men's Soccer junior Keita Goto was named Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week for Sept. 1-7 after helping lead the Vulcans to a perfect 3-0 start to the season.

PACWEST DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Hawai'i Hilo's Keita Goto has played a key role in the Vulcans' three defensive wins and scored the only goal in last week's victory over UT Dallas on a penalty kick to boot.

"Keita has been instrumental for us this year, providing an immediate impact in our defensive midfield position," Vulcans head coach Diego Marroquin said. "He was pivotal against Dallas, protecting our backline for 90 minutes while shutting down one of the top midfielders in the Lone Star Conference."

Goto is a transfer from Saginaw Valley State and played the previous season at Academy of Art.

PACWEST TEAM OF THE WEEK

Hawai'i Hilo is the Team of the Week for the second straight time after a home whitewash of UT Dallas, 1-0. The Vulcans are now a perfect 3-0 heading into a three-match trip to Colorado this week. Vulcans got the only goal it would need on a penalty kick off the foot of Goto in the 21st minute, and then survived eight Dallas shots on the day. It was the first loss of the year for the Comets, who are now 3-1-1 in 2026.