It was one of the most memorable soccer matches in East Hawaii in recent years, and not just because it was between rivals Hilo and Waiakea in a BIIF semifinal that went to a shootout. ADVERTISING It was one of
It was one of the most memorable soccer matches in East Hawaii in recent years, and not just because it was between rivals Hilo and Waiakea in a BIIF semifinal that went to a shootout.
The weather made its mark that day, Feb. 8, 2012, as well. Each team had to adjust to a strong crosswind, and as the temperature dropped, fans pulled out blankets in a scene that didn’t look like Hawaii.
“It was eerie,” said Max Darris, a former Viking.
One of Darris’ most enduring memories is that of future teammate James Yamane, who willed Waiakea to a victory that he hailed at the time as one of if not the greatest sporting accomplishments in his life.
“No words can explain this feeling of bliss,” Yamane told the Tribune-Herald, shortly after he’d stopped two penalty kicks and scored one of his own in a shootout that he’d authored – Waiakea’s coach let him pick the lineup.
Before the match went to penalty kicks, Yamane was a rock in the field for the Warriors, assisting on their only goal.
“We still joke about that,” Darris said Tuesday. “James was moving all over the place.”
Darris’s high school soccer career ended at the hands of Yamane, but he’ll finish the home portion of his college career hand in hand with Yamane on Thursday during UH-Hilo’s Senior Day. The women host Holy Names at 12:30 p.m., and the men play at 3 p.m.
“It feels like it’s gone by fast,” Darris said. “You don’t think about it when you first start.
“It definitely flies by.”
The Vulcans’ Eddie Torrison was also on the field for that 2012 classic, scoring the Vikings’ only goal. Torrison is a senior but he still has a year of soccer eligibilty remaining you should he choose to use it.
While Torrison redshirted, Yamane and Darris each saw immediate playing time as freshmen under then-coach Ziggy Korytoski.
Yamane, still a rock in the field, has been a mainstay in the lineup throughout his career, with five goals to his credit. Darris is on track to to appear in at least 10 matches for the fourth time in his career. He started out at fullback but has since moved up to midfield/forward under soccer director Lance Thompson to take advantage of his speed. Darris scored his first two college goals last season.
Collectively, Yamane, Darris and Torrison have helped bolster Thompson’t outlook on the Big Island as a producer of soccer talent.
”They’ve adapted,” Thompson told the Tribune-Herald. “It’s a big jump from (the BIIF) to Division II.
“I think the future is bright here with some of the clubs on either side of the island.”
And there is the hair.
Yamane’s is longer than how he wore it in high school, but he’s got nothing on Darris.
“I had it long my junior year (in high school), and then I must have cut it at some point.” Darris said. “I just kind of grew it out again and it’s kind of been my thing.
“Can’t get away with certain things with this hair.”
Also playing their final home matches for the men are Juan David Diaz Casallas, Adam Colton, Asa Goldsmith, Jamie Sporcic, Alejandro Patino, Scott Hill, Zachary Solarte, George Wakefield, Oswel Mariles, Cristian Ruelas and Jacob LaPorte.
The Lady Vulcans have only four seniors: Kayla Clarke, Nicole Rascon, Kahri Golden and McKenna Hughes.
Women’s golf
UHH cut two strokes off its round one score in the second round of the Rainbow Wahine Invitational on the Leilehua Golf Course.
A second round 326 has the Vulcans in 14th place with a 78-over, 654.
Senior Kristen Sawada leads the Vulcans crew turning in a 4-over 76 in round two. Her two round 150 has her tied for 24th place and is nine strokes behind tournament leader Brooklyn Hocker of BYU.
Sophomore Andi Igawa cut four strokes from her first go at the course and turned in a 77. She is tied for 55th place at 158 (81-77). Freshman Shantel Antonio (81st, 86-86=172), junior Alison Tengan (82nd, 87-87=174) and sophomore Mariah Paiste (T83, 93-93=188) turned in duplicate scores from round one.
Playing as an unattached individual, freshman Kimberly Katayama also cut four strokes off of round one and is tied for 83rd place with a 186 (95-91).
Men’s basketball
UHH was predicted to finish 10th in the PacWest men’s preseason poll released on Wednesday. There are just four teams below the Vulcans, who finished with a 12-14 record last season.
Cal Baptist was predicted to finish first.
No Vuls were named to the preseason team.
