UHH’s Hufford Earns Second PacWest Freshman Honor

University of Hawai`i at Hilo director of soccer Lance Thompson prides himself on coaching teams that keep opponents from finding the back of the net.

His only recruit this season, freshman Jenna Hufford, has done that eight teams this season. Her last two shutouts earned her the Pacific West Conference’s Women’s Soccer Freshman of the Week award for games played between October 21-27.

The first of those shutouts came in a scoreless tie at Hawai`i Pacific University last Wednesday. Hufford stopped seven shots, a season high, in the double-overtime result.

On Saturday afternoon, Hufford recorded three saves and dropped her goals against average mark for the season to 0.97. The Vulcans defeated Holy Names 4-0.

UH-Hilo (9-3-2 overall, 6-3-1 PacWest) has two more matches this season before a possible berth to the NCAA West Regional tournament. The Vulcans, ranked fifth in the regional poll, host Academy of Art Thursday at 12:30 p.m.