WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – Saturday was a tough day for the Hawai'i Pacific University women's soccer team as Hawai'i Hilo avenged a non-conference loss to the Sharks with a 4-0 PacWest Conference triumph in the rain at the Waipio Soccer Complex.
 
The Sharks (6-4-1, 2-3-1) allowed two goals in each half to the Vulcans (6-3-1, 3-2-1).
 
One of HPU's best scoring chances came in the early minutes when UHH goalkeeper Jenna Hufford stopped two quick shots by the Sharks without cleanly grabbing the wet ball.
 
The Vulcans answered that with their first goal in the 13th minute to claim a 1-0 lead. Kayela Santiago crossed the ball from the left wing for UHH to Bryana-Marie Ebbers at the far post and Ebbers sent it in for the score.
 
UH Hilo got a firm handle on the match just before halftime, scoring in the 43rd minute. Danika Steele got a bump pass from Carlie Reader in front of the goal, then blasted it in for her first score of the year.
 
Reader posted her fifth goal of the season as the Vulcans put it away with nine minutes to play. Sabrina Scott sent a pass over to Reader on the right wing, who fired a one-timer into the net for a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Vulcans added icing to the cake in the 88th minute as Astrid Perez scored her first goal of the year from the center of the box for UHH's fourth goal of the contest.
 
The four goals were the most allowed by HPU this season as junior goalkeeper Lauren Spencer of Oxford, Mich./Oxford, posted three saves against 14 shots by the Vulcans.
 
Hufford collected five saves versus 13 HPU shots before being lifted in the 85th minute. She combined with Ysabela Gabriella Barin for the shutout victory.
 
The Sharks closed a three-game homestand with the loss. HPU opens a three-game PacWest road trip to California on Wednesday when they visit Biola in a 1 p.m. HST (4 p.m. PDT) contest.