UPDATE: UH-Hilo Women’s Soccer Ranks for First Time Since 2008

***Updated at 1:41 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 12 ***

Big Island Now was provided with incorrect information by the University of Hawai`i at Hilo athletic department on the women’s soccer program’s past ranking history.

In 2007, the Vulcans were ranked in both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s regional poll and the NCAA’s West Region rankings for much of the season. The Vulcans fell short of the PacWest championship that season and missed out on NCAA competition.

UH-Hilo was ranked as high as sixth in the NSCAA rankings the following season. Like the prior year, the Vulcans missed out on postseason play after failing to win the conference title.

Posted at 2:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10:

Rankings don’t normally mean much to a team after one week of play, but for the University of Hawai`i at Hilo women’s soccer team, being ranked is a big deal.

For the first time in the program’s eight-year history, the Vulcans were ranked in a regular season poll of any kind. UH-Hilo was placed seventh in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America / Continental Tire Division II Women’s Soccer West Region poll, released early Tuesday.

The Vulcans, under new Director of Soccer Lance Thompson, opened the 2013 season on Oahu with a 2-1 victory over Cal State San Bernardino on Sep. 5. Two days later, UH-Hilo made the long drive to the North Shore and defeated BYU-Hawai`i 1-0 to start the season 2-0.

Thompson knows the importance of the ranking for the program but also sees the current goal for his team. “It’s exciting, It’s also very early and it’s just after one week of soccer. I just think it’s a credit to the team’s hard work and to their commitment and to believing in the staff and believing in each other and believing in what we want to accomplish.

“There’s just a lot ahead of us still,” cautioned Thompson. “But still, up to this point, it’s still a nice reward for them and it’s nice to know they are getting some respect within the region.”

When looking back to his team’s 2-0 start, Thompson said that the thing that stood out the most to him was his team’s “attention to detail” and ability to “stay disciplined and organized” over the course of a match, something that could be difficult considering the changes around the program.

“It’s tough. New coach, new system, different philosophy,” explained Thompson. “They’ve done a great job of adapting. I can’t speak highly enough about that with this group.”

UH-Hilo will play in front of their home fans for the first time this season when they welcome BYU-Hawai`i to its campus Thursday. The women will play at 12:30 p.m. followed by the men’s match at 3:00 p.m. Both contests will be played at the UHH Baseball Field.

National Soccer Coaches Association of America / Continental Tire Division II Women’s Soccer West Region poll

1. Western Washington (1-0-0)

2. Cal State Stanislaus (2-0-0)

3. UC San Diego (1-1-0)

4. Chico State (2-0-0)

5. Seattle Pacific (1-1-0)

6. Cal State Los Angeles (1-0-0)

7. Hawai`i-Hilo (2-0-0)

8. Azusa Pacific (1-0-0)

9. Cal Poly Pomona (1-0-0)

10. Cal State San Bernardino (1-1-0)