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The Hawaii soccer team officially announced the signings of eight players for its 2018 class on Friday, headlined by a local standout in Pearl City forward Daelenn Tokunaga.
The other seven signees hail from Western mainland states. Four are from California (mid/forward McKenzie Moore, defender Elena Palacios, forward/defender Kayla Ryan, goalkeeper Kailey Meyer); two are from Washington (forward Claire Jo Diede, defender Natalie Daub); and one is from Arizona (goalkeeper Lauren Marquez).
“I like this class because of their diversity,” UH coach Michele Nagamine said. “They come from different areas, they have different strengths, but they all have the same mentality, and I think that’s exactly what we need at this point.”
The 5-foot-7 Tokunaga helped the Chargers to the state championship her sophomore season and Pearl City will play ‘Iolani in tonight’s state final. She’s scored close to 80 goals over her Chargers career.
UH went 6-10-1 (1-6-1 Big West) in 2017.
Hawaii Hilo softball sweeps doubleheader
The Hawaii Hilo softball team (8-3) won its final two games in the Dixie State Easton Classic on Friday in St. George, Utah, with both victories coming in convincing fashion.
Hawaii Hilo’s bats were hot in a 12-6 victory over Western New Mexico (1-8), amassing 19 hits. Bailey Gaspar, Brinell Kaleikini, Skylar Thomas and Maria Steadmon had three hits each. Isabelle Mejia picked up the win for UHH, keeping the Mustangs at bay with three runs and seven hits in five innings.
The Vulcans followed with an 11-3 rout of Fort Lewis (1-7). Mejia had a game-high four RBIs to go along with two hits and a home run. Cyanne Fernandez picked up a complete-game victory, striking out nine Skyhawks to go along with six hits and two walks.
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