UHH women score late to notch first victory

UH-Hilo women’s soccer coach Gene Okamura still doesn’t know if his team has played with a consistent effort for a full match yet, but the Vulcans surely are getting closer.

The proof is in the pudding.

Transfer Filippa Graneld scored in the 88th minute Tuesday to propel UHH to a 1-0 victory at San Francisco State, salvaging the finale of a three-match road trip.

Just more than two minutes away from going to overtime and the possibility of a winless season-opening trip, Okamura said it was “gut-check time.”

“I think the first two games gave us a reality check,” he said.

Graneld, a Division I transfer from Pac-12 Colorado, gathered in a long pass on the left side of the field at the top of the box, faked one way to send her defender past her, and launched a shot from the left side to the lower right corner of the net. The ball shot past Gator goalkeeper Iliana Gallegos to send the Vulcans (1-2-0) into celebration.

“We played better today, and it was nice for the team to get rewarded with a win,” Okamura said. “We have some things to build on when we return home to get ready for HPU and Chaminade.”

UHH keeper Viviana Poli recorded her first shutout for the Vuls, making six saves. Graneld had five shots for the Vulcans. Daelenn Takunaga had four, as did Christiana Kanellou.

The Vulcans had 14 shots (four of frame) and San Francisco State (0-3-0) had 15.

UHH heads to Oahu on Sunday for a nonconference matchup against Hawaii Pacific.