So that’s what a golden goal looks like.
Abcde Zoller scored with less than three minutes remaining in double overtime Thursday, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo beat visiting Chaminade 1-0, narrowly avoiding its seventh draw of the season.
“What a shock,” director of soccer Lance Thompson said. “We pulled it out late.”
The Lady Vulcans (7-4-6, 4-3-4 PacWest) hadn’t had much luck winning in overtime and were 0-6-1 in extra sessions this season until Zoller corralled a rebound off a Kristine Pasek shot and lifted UH-Hilo to its second consecutive victory.
Thompson said the Vulcans dodged a bullet earlier in the match when the Silverswords (3-10-1, 3-7-1) missed a golden opportunity at a goal.
“It could have gone either way,” Thompson said. “Great effort by Chaminade.”
The Vulcans held a 11-7 advantage in shots, and goalkeeper Jenna Hufford made three saves in the shutout.
In the men’s contest, the Vulcans and Chaminade traded goals, with the Silverswords’ Matt Davies providing the game-winner in the 80th minute of a 3-2 victory.
Nicolas Ferro and James Meaney scored to give Chaminade (5-10-0, 4-7-0) leads of 1-0 and 2-1, respectively, while Hilo graduate Maxwell Darris and Mike Reckmeyer provided equalizers for the Vulcans (6-9-2, 4-6-1).
“The way the game was going, it felt like we were playing uphill the entire way,” Thompson said. “It felt like Chaminade wanted the win more than we did. It was a fair result.”
Volleyball
Callie Aberle posted 22 kills and Morgan Lees added 17, and the Vulcans beat Azusa Pacific 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 18-16, ending a four-match losing streak in five-set contests.
“We finally got over the hump and won a five-setter,” Vulcans coach Tino Reyes said. “Unbelievable. I’m in shock.”
The Vulcans (9-12, 8-10 PacWest) also broke through on the road, earning their second conference road win of the season.
Reyes said it was easily his team’s best effort of the season, even though the match got dicey late in Game 5.
The Vulcans appeared to be in control of the fifth set, ahead 13-10. The Cougars (12-14, 8-9) ripped off three consecutive points, but after being denied three match points, kills by Lees and Sienna Davis secured the win.
Shelby Harguess and Kyndra Trevino-Scott added seven kills apiece for the Vulcans.
“Just a good team win,” Reyes said.
