University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson watched his men’s team tie Cal-State Monterey Bay in a match that started Tuesday morning and went into the afternoon, and then he hopped in a car and drove approximately
University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson watched his men’s team tie Cal-State Monterey Bay in a match that started Tuesday morning and went into the afternoon, and then he hopped in a car and drove approximately 95 miles to coach his women’s team in a night match.
“My goodness,” Thompson said of the California traffic. “Crazy.”
It didn’t take Caroline Stromick long to make the trip worthwhile. Stromick scored in the eighth minute, and the Lady Vulcans shut out Cal-State East Bay 1-0 in Hayward, Calif.
Goalkeeper Jenna Hufford stopped four shots as UHH (3-1-1) remained unbeaten since its opener to start a four-match road trip in Northern California.
The Vulcans have allowed just two goals in the past four matches. Thompson credited fullbacks Kassandra Talamantez, Taylor Wright, Alexandra Marin and Danalynne Llacuna for paving the way for UHH’s “clean” performance.
“They’ve just really been solid, consistent and disciplined,” Thompson said. “A very big nonconference result on the road.”
Shut out for the second time this season, Cal State East Bay had a four-match unbeaten streak end.
Stromick, a senior, netted her second goal of the season from center 20 yards away, though Thompson didn’t follow Stromick’s sinking shot to the left.
“The keeper didn’t move,” Thompson said. “I was watching the keeper’s reaction and thought the shot was going wide. But the girls were celebrating. She hit it really good and it was going in the whole way.”
Earlier down the coast in Seaside, freshman Evan Bacani’s first career goal midway through the second half helped the Vulcans (2-2-1) secure a 2-2 draw.
The Otters (1-2-2) had taken the lead early in the second half on a UHH misclear.
“At halftime we talked about being disciplined, and they punished us for (a mistake),” Thompson said. “We could have folded, but instead we showed a lot of grit.”
In the 75th minute, Cristian Ruelas corralled a turnover, sprinted down the right flank and sent a cross near post that an unmarked Bacani headed in.
Mike Reckmeyer notched his team-high fourth goal of the season in the first half for UHH. Jamie Sporcic added an assist.
“Monterey’s record might not be very good, but that’s a really good 1-2-2 team,” Thompson said.
Both UHH teams open Pacific West Conference play Thursday against Fresno Pacific.
