HILO, Hawai'i – University of Hawai'i at Hilo scored twice late in the opening half before adding a second-half penalty kick as Dominican women's soccer closed its Hawai'i road trip with a 3-0 loss Monday afternoon at Vulcan Soccer Field.
The first-place Vulcans (6-0-3, 9-2-4 PacWest) remained unbeaten in conference play and finished with a 20-5 advantage in shots and placed 13 attempts on goal, while the Penguins (7-9-1, 2-6 PacWest) put one of its five shots on frame.
UHH generated most of the early pressure, but
Michelle Salas Viniegra kept the match scoreless with saves on Sydney Harpster and Delaney Barbee.
Ysabella Belandres produced Dominican's first attempt in the 10th minute, sending a shot over the top of the goal. Dominican cleared an initial corner kick in the 34th minute, but the Vulcans recycled the ball back into the attacking third where Elise Flores collected it near the upper-left corner of the penalty area and drove a shot into the goal for a 1-0 lead. UHH doubled the advantage with just over a minute remaining before halftime as Aubree Panui worked the ball from the end line into the box before Alexandra Vital-Silva sent a second pass to a trailing Ariana Duenas near the top-center of the penalty area. Duenas drove her attempt inside the left post at 43:59 to send Hilo into the break ahead 2-0.
Rylee Buesing entered in goal to begin the second half and was immediately tested. She stopped Flores in the 49th minute and made consecutive saves on Flores and Barbee during a busy stretch in the 58th as the Vulcans continued to press. UHH added its third goal from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute with Karina Da Silva converting from the spot. Dominican continued looking for a breakthrough late.
Kiana Ayllon received a nice ball up the middle of the field and attempted a first-touch shot but it went high in the 82nd minute.
Bailey Nadell had a shot blocked moments later and
Jessica Ortega produced the Penguins' lone shot on goal in the 85th minute, forcing Lydia Keller to make the save toward the lower-left corner.
The Penguins return to Kennelly Field on Saturday to host Jessup at 12:30 p.m. in the regular-season finale as they also celebrate their seniors prior to the match as part of Senior Day.
