University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson saw his team get outclassed in the first half.
University of Hawaii at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson saw his team get outclassed in the first half.
It was nothing a few tweaks couldn’t fix.
Boosted by their second-half adjustments, the Vulcans rode a goal by Ashley Borja-Roese at the 51-minute mark to beat Simon Fraser 1-0 in Burnaby, British Columbia.
“It changed the whole complexion of the game,” Thompson said of his decision to move more speed to the top of the lineup. “They had us pretty good in the first half.”
He bumped Alexandra Marin from fullback to forward, while Jessica Heade focused more on offense in the midfield. The Vulcans (1-1) outshot the Clan (0-1) 8-1 during the final 45 minutes.
“At least in this game, Alexandra’s athletic ability seemed to be too much for them,” Thompson said.
He credited the senior with creating UH-Hilo’s goal. Borja-Roese scored unassisted off a rebound.
The Vulcans had a goal disallowed in the 66th minute because of an offside call.
Sophomore Jenna Hufford made one save for the shutout.
In a men’s game, Raad Aljabi scored nine minutes into overtime as Sonoma State beat UH-Hilo 1-0.
The Vulcans (0-1) were outshot 20-9.
“I would say they beat us,” Thompson said. “We didn’t beat ourselves.”
Erick Lemus made three saves in the first half for UH-Hilo, and Tyler Hoffman made six.
Sean Taufer stopped five shots for Sonoma State (1-1).
“We did have some very good looks,” Thompson said. “We just couldn’t put them away.”
The Vulcans men’s and women’s teams will each face Simon Fraser on Tuesday.
Volleyball
Coach Tino Reyes headed to Oahu confident in the UH-Hilo’s ball-handing. He left ready to get back to the drawing board.
Reyes called passing the Vulcans’ malfunction in a 1-2 start that was capped by a 21-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 loss to Chaminade on Saturday night in Oahu.
“We’re not teaching them the right things and we’re not seeing the right things,” Reyes said. “It falls on me, but it’s fixable.”
He has time. The Vulcans play their alumni match Saturday and then open Pacific West Conference play Sept. 18 at home against Hawaii Pacific.
In all three matches, sophomore Marley Strand-Nicolaisen (15 kills against Chaminade) and junior Morgan Lees (11) led UH-Hilo in hitting, but their attack percentages sagged after the season-opening win Friday against Deamen College.
“That’s not on the hitters, it’s passing,” Reyes said. “We serve and receive well in practice, but it’s a little different when you’re going up against another team.”