College soccer: Lady Vulcans earn point on own goal

Through two matches and 200 minutes of soccer, the University of Hawaii at Hilo couldn’t find the back of the net.

Thanks to a goalkeeper’s misplay, at least the day wasn’t a total loss.

The Lady Vulcans took advantage of an own goal Thursday by Fresno Pacific to earn a 1-1 draw in the Pacific West Conference opener in Fresno, Calif.

UH-Hilo (3-1-2, 0-0-1 PacWest) remained unbeaten in its past five matches despite being badly outshot, 27-16, by the winless Sunbirds (0-5-1, 0-0-1).

Fresno Pacific’s Bianca Garcia scored on a penalty kick in the 22nd minute, beating Kayla Clarke (two saves) for her first goal of the year, after Hannah Coyle was fouled in the box.

Late in the first half, a miscue by Sunbirds goalkeeper Vanessa Escobar on a ball played back to her by a teammate gave the Vulcans the equalizer.

In the first overtime, Coyle had a shot blocked, then Amber Rodriguez almost ended the match with a shot that hit the crossbar. The flurry ended when Alyssa Nakaguchi shot high.

UH-Hilo goalkeeper Jenna Hufford made three saves after taking goal in the second half.

First-half substitute Abcde Zoller got off four shots for the Vulcans.

Men

UH-Hilo allowed a pair of first-half goals and lost 2-0.

Jorge Chedraui netted his fifth goal of the season when he corralled a deflection in the box, and Alvaro Nogales converted on a penalty kick against Erick Lemus for his his third goal.

Andrew Luis made four saves for the Sunbirds (4-1, 2-0).

The Vulcans (2-3-1, 0-1) held a 16-12 advantage in shots, including four by Jacob LaPorte. Adam Hill saw his shot hit the crossbar early in the match.

Lemus and Tyler Hoffman split halves in goal, with each making a save.

Guillermo Talancon assisted on Chedraui’s goal.

The Vulcans travel to Academy of Art on Saturday. The men’s match is at 10 a.m., and the women follow at 12:30 p.m.