Their records say their match is the biggest of the Pacific West Conference women’s season. UH-Hilo’s modest history says even more.
“I think it’s the biggest match in UH-Hilo’s existence for men’s and women’s soccer,” Vulcans coach Gene Okamura said.
It’s not often, after all, that the Vuls host a battle for first place – especially this late into the season. But those are the high stakes at high noon Wednesday when UHH faces Point Loma at its campus baseball field.
The Sea Lions (11-0-1, 7-0 PacWest) have won eight in a row, including the first two stops on their tour of the islands. UHH (9-3, 6-1) has won six in a row and had six days to prepare for its biggest test of the season.
“They recruit quality players, they have a quality coaches, and it’s kind of just built into them,” Okamura said. “They just have a winning mentality.”
The men’s match is at 2:30 p.m.
In golf on Tuesday, UHH’s Dustin Franko shot a 2-under 68 and was tied for 21st place at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate at the Waikoloa Beach Course. Keith Ng (71-72) was tied for 16th as the Vuls moved one spot into eighth of 12 teams.
In the women’s event at Hapuna, UHH’s Kaelyn Uchida (75-74) moved up to ninth place as the Vuls advanced to sixth place. The final rounds of the men’s and women’s events are Wednesday.