Sabrina Scott’s words of wisdom: stick with it.
Cierra Toledo-Muragin’s parting shot: hit the books.
Competitive soccer careers that blossomed just down the road on Kawili Street reached their full maturity Saturday at UH-Hilo, where the Vulcans’ women’s team beat Chaminade 1-0 on a senior day that doubled as a Waiakea High reunion for a player on each side.
Junior Christina Kanellou scored early in the second half as UHH (6-7-4, 5-4-2 Pacific West Conference) finished the season on a three-match winning streak.
“It took a while to get it going, but I’m glad we figured it out our last three games,” said Scott, the 2015 BIIF player of the year for the Warriors. “This is the end, maybe I might have men’s league soccer, but this is the end, competitively.
“It hasn’t hit me yet, but looking back through so many years, it’s kind of all flashing through at once. It’s definitely emotional.”
Toledo-Muragin, a 2016 Waiakea grad, played in her 49th career match for the Silverswords (3-8-3, 3-7-1). Don’t look for her to move back home to the Big Island after she completes her degree in nursing.
“I love it in Honolulu, just more to do,” she said.
Toledo-Muragin also loved the fact that she was able to play her final match in Hilo against Vulcans soccer coach Gene Okamura.
“Bittersweet, but it was special to see Gene and be able to finish my career where it all started,” she said.
Toledo-Muragin is a three-time Academic All-PacWest selection.
“My best advice is to put academics first,” she said. “That’s what matters most.”
Also playing their final matches for the Vulcans were Bailey Cahill, Janelle Schwartz, Hedda Bjerklund, Madison Gates, Brianna Valencia and Ysabela Gabrielle Barin. Cahill made one save, finishing the season with a 0.90 goals-against average.
Asked what he’ll remember about this senior class, Okamura said, “Their personalities and their selflessness on and off the field.”
None of the seniors had been around as long as Scott, who tore her ACL early during the second match of her freshman season in a contest at Chaminade.
“It was very depressing, it took me so many years to get back to where I was, and my senior year was my prime,” Scott said. “This year is where I got back t 100%. Back to my old old high school self and even better.”
She’s set to graduate with a degree in kinesiology, then plans to hang around for a little while before moving to Ohio – where her family is from – and go to medical school to try to become an orthopedic surgeon.
“I know a lot of people they get injuries, especially ACLs, but even you get knocked down one thousand times, keep going,” Scott said. ” Just do the best you can and play your heart out.”
In the men’s match, Chaminade scored three goals in the first 25 minutes, rolling to a 3-1 victory, spoiling senior day for UHH’s Brandon Baca, Bryan Gonzalez, Pedro Werneck, Robert George, Selvin Sandoval and Jorge Martinez.
The Vulcans (5-11-0, 4-7-0) finished with one more win than last season. Bennet Chergosky’s goal near the end of regulation avoided the shutout.
Baca, a Hilo High alum, made his first career start.