Out of necessity, director of soccer Lance Thompson did things their way last season.
He arrived at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in August, unpacked his bags and then the season began. He had no chance to recruit his own players.
But he’s more than made up for the lost time. In 2014, Thompson’s doing things his way.
“Newcomers have raised the bar dramatically; that’s fair to say,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be a much different look. We’ve recruited a different type of environment and team.”
The men’s program didn’t just get a face-lift, but a complete reconstruction. Approximately 18 players returned, and Thompson added another 18-20.
“Since we have a lot of numbers at every position, you have to keep fighting every single day,” senior Ikaika Fuerte said. “Results in practice matter.”
At some point during a 6-7-1 campaign that saw UH-Hilo pick up steam late, Thompson essentially gave up on his players adopting his system. It was clear they weren’t buying in.
This season, Thompson said: “That won’t be a problem. We had a really big turnaround in the spring. The resistance no longer existed.”
Vulcans fans will recognize at least two starters from last season, seniors Fuerte and Rhyen Eugenio. In a show of coach’s trust, Fuerte, a preseason All-Pacific West Conference selection, will drop back from midfield and join Eugenio on the back line.
“He’s arguably our top returning player,” Thompson said of Fuerte. “And arguably our top player no matter where we put him on the field. Being a defensive-minded coach, it just made sense to put him there.”
The Vulcans scored 18 goals and allowed 18 last season, but if Thompson favors one side it’s defense. He wants to form a sound structure in his own end of the field and build the ball up the field while picking and choosing opportunities for one-touch transition.
UH-Hilo can travel 18 players to Canada when it opens the season at 10 a.m. Sunday against Sonoma State, and Thompson said he’s put together a squad in which all will not only play but contribute.
“I like our defense,” Thompson said, “but I think midfield is our most talented group.”
Among the new faces in that group are Dawid Schada von Borzyskowski from Germany, Asa Goldsmith, who started for perennial junior college power Yavapai (Ariz.), true freshman Ian McBride and Alejandro Patino, a transfer from Mount San Antonio College.
When Thompson talks about the group, he often mentions the word “playmaker.”
“We knew that coming in, and they’ve show us more than we knew.”
Waiakea graduate James Yamane tied for the team lead with three goals last season, but he’ll be pushed for playing time at forward by Jamie Sporcic, who netted 11 goals for Santa Barbara City College last year and was an all-league selection, Mike Reckmeyer, a transfer from Oregon State who has Pacific-12 Conference goals on his resume, and freshman Evan Bacani.
“This is going to be a big improvement for us,” Thompson said. “We’re working on communication. One thing we stress is knowing your role and responsibility. Accepting that role is a big part of your success.
Three more transfers will help anchor the backline: Adam Colton was conference player of the year at Santa Barbara C.C., Jake LaPorte last played at Air Force and Christian Ruelas formerly played for Mt. SAC.
Thompson said the competition at goalkeeper between transfers Erick Lemus, Tyler Hoffman and Honokaa graduate Cassidy Dixon was strong.
Of course, Thompson noted all improvement is relative to the competition. The Vulcans were selected to finish ninth in the PacWest by the league’s coaches.
“Every year it just gets better and better here,” Fuerte said. “The chemistry is really coming together and everyone is battling it out.
“The competition is all positive.”
That’s the Thompson way.
