The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s soccer swept the Pacific West Conference weekly awards for Player of the Week, Defender of the Week and Team of the Week. Teani Arakawa was named Player of the Week, and Phoebe Barnes earned Defender of the Week honors on September 16 after the Vulcans went 1-0-1 with a scoreless draw against Cal State San Bernardino and a 4-0 victory over Seattle Pacific.
Arakawa delivered a record-breaking performance with three goals and an assist against the eight-ranked Falcons. She also became the UH Hilo women’s soccer program’s all-time career leader with 54 points. Since joining the Vulcans as a sophomore transfer in fall 2022, Arakawa has accumulated 21 goals and 12 assists.
“Maybe looking back when I’m done, I can really see that the hard work paid off—coming to practices, working out on my own during the summers,” Arakawa said. “Hopefully, other girls will follow and maybe wanting to get past the mark I’ve made here. But for now, I’m just taking it day by day and working on the things we need to work on.”
Barnes has kept a clean sheet through the first three games of the season, coming up with five total saves through last week’s two matches.
“All three shutouts we had on the road have been a team effort,“ Barnes said. “We only really have one starting returner in the backline so we really wanted to come out and work as a unit.”
The Vulcans also earned the PacWest Conference Team of the Week distinction for their top-10 upset of Seattle Pacific.
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