Missed opportunities came back to bite the Cal State East Bay women’s soccer team on Tuesday falling to the visiting University of Hawaii at Hilo Vulcans 1-0 at Pioneer Stadium.

The contest was primarily a defensive affair with the lone goal coming quick at just the eight minute mark when senior Vulcan midfielder Caroline Stromick put one past CSUEB junior goalkeeper Selena Braun from 20 yards out.

The loss drops the Pioneers to 3-2-2 overall with conference play set to begin on Friday. “We have got to play better,” Vulcans director of soccer Lance Thompson said. “Stay aggressive out there.”

UHH improved its record to 3-1-1 overall and is also slated to begin conference play this week.

Hawaii tried to put the pressure on CSUEB however the Pioneers managed to control the ball and dominate possession most of the match.

At the 20 minute mark in the first half CSUEB had a handful of opportunities to score including a corner kick and a free kick that were all unsuccessful.

Freshman defender and Washington High School graduate Janelle Herrera who assisted on all three goals in the Pioneers’ previous victory over the Chaminade Silver assisted on all three goals in the Pioneers’ previous victory over the Chaminade Silver Swords could not recreate the magic against the Vulcans despite several great attempts.

Sophomore forward Corryn Barney provided a spark off the bench for the Pioneers and after entering as a substitute at the 27-minute mark. Barney was just missed by a Pioneer teammate as she raced by the defender just to have the pass fall short.

“Play that a little earlier next time,” Barney told her teammate following the missed scoring chance. “It’s there.”

CSUEB goalkeeper Braun was nearly perfect after giving up the early goal managing four saves on five shot attempts including a tough save at the 40-minute mark.

The Pioneers had another chance to put one in the net in minute 72 but UHH sophomore goalkeeper Jenna Hufford made a tough save keeping the score 1-0.

After a foul by the Vulcans with just over a minute left and a failed free kick the Pioneers scrambled to find the net but the Vulcans defense was strong not allowing a score.

With less than a minute remaining the Pioneers got another free kick and looked to Herrera to create some more freshman magic and after a dispute with the referee the ball was moved back for one final chance with eight seconds left in the match.

“How far do you want it back?” Herrera said to the referee. “Here?”

Related Stories

Women’s soccer camp searches for new Pioneer talent

The loss of time allowed just one more scoring chance on a night filled with them for CSUEB. The ball seemed to stay in front of the Vulcans net for an eternity before a defender was able to clear it out and secure the 1-0 victory for UHH.

Senior midfielder Ariana Gordon coming off of a two goal performance was impressive for the Pioneers showing quick feet and was able to penetrate the Vulcans defense regularly but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

Next up for CSUEB is their first California Collegiate Athletic Association match against Humboldt State tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at Pioneer Stadium.

The UHH Vulcans will continue their tough west coast road trip as they travel to Fresno to take on Fresno Pacific University today at 7 p.m.