WAIPI'O— Azjah Tocher and Natalie Navarro combined for six saves as the Hawaiʻi Pacific University women's soccer team fell 1-0 to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on Saturday afternoon at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The Sharks (0-12-2, 0-5-1 PacWest) held the Vulcans (7-2-4, 4-0-3 PacWest) scoreless over the final 76 minutes but were unable to overcome an early first-half goal.
Tocher started in goal for HPU, recording four saves in 45 minutes of action. Navarro entered at halftime and added two saves while keeping Hilo off the scoreboard throughout the second half.
Hilo's Tatianna Chavez scored the game's lone goal in the 14th minute, finishing an opportunity assisted by Delaney Barbee to give the Vulcans a 1-0 advantage.
HPU created an early scoring opportunity in the sixth minute when Lisette Almanza placed a shot on target, forcing a save from Hilo goalkeeper Lydia Keller.
The Vulcans answered with several opportunities before Chavez broke through at the 13:32 mark. Tocher kept the Sharks within striking distance, making four first-half saves, including stops against Delaney Barbee, Elise Flores and Ariana Duenas.
HPU looked to respond in the 31st minute when Lavinia Vaipulu sent an attempt just over the goal, but the Sharks entered halftime trailing 1-0.
Navarro took over in goal to begin the second half and made her first save in the 53rd minute on a shot from Diana Garcia.
The Sharks generated another opportunity in the 57th minute when Taylor Gallano placed a shot on frame, but Keller made the stop to preserve Hilo's advantage.
Almanza nearly found the equalizer in the 69th minute, putting another attempt on target before Keller recorded her third save of the afternoon. Navarro added her second save in the 73rd minute, turning away a shot from Shae Dougherty.
HPU earned a late corner kick in the 84th minute but could not find the equalizer before the final whistle.
Hilo finished with an 18-4 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Almanza led the Sharks with two shots, both on goal, while Gallano recorded HPU's other shot on target.
The loss moves HPU to 0-12-2 overall and 0-5-1 in PacWest play.
