UH-Hilo Women’s Soccer Voted Preseason No. 2

Lillie, Graneld also named to Preseason All-PacWest Team

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo women’s soccer team set the benchmark last year, laying claim as Co-Pacific West Conference Champions. Now, a target is on their backs.

The Vulcans received two first-place votes to land at the No. 2 spot in the 2022 PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday, Aug. 24. Point Loma Nazarene was voted No. 1, collecting the remaining nine first-place votes.

Reigning conference Player of the Year Daelenn Tokunaga and Goalkeeper of the Year Viviana Poli were tabbed for the same respective preseason honors this year. Vulcans defender Jodi Lillie and forward Filippa Graneld were also named to the Preseason All-PacWest Team. Graneld was also named 2021 Newcomer of the Year.

Additionally, seventh-year UH-Hilo women’s soccer head coach Gene Okamura was selected as 2021 Coach of the Year while midfielder Alyssa Padron and defender Baille Brennan earned Second Team and Third Team distinctions, respectively.

UH-Hilo begins its season Sept. 1 against Cal State East Bay on O’ahu, with the Vulcans’ first home game Sept. 17 in a non-conference tilt against Hawai’i Pacific. PacWest season-play is set to start Sept. 26 at home against Dominican.

For more about the preseason coaches picks, click here.

For a full 2022 women’s soccer roster, click here. For a complete 2022 season schedule, click here.