UH Hilo women’s soccer expands roster with 16 new recruits

Gene Okamura, head coach of the University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s soccer team, has confirmed the addition of 16 new players to the squad for the upcoming season. The recruitment drive aims to strengthen the program’s depth, bringing together local talent returning home and a diverse group of athletes from across the country.

Two local players are transferring back to the university in the 50th State. Payton Inabata, who previously played at Sacramento State and attended Punahou, joins Aubree Panui, who transferred from Western Oregon and attended Kamehameha. Their return marks a significant homecoming for both athletes within the local sporting community.

The remaining 14 recruits hail from various locations across the United States, including California, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This national spread suggests a broad recruitment effort to secure specific skill sets and geographic diversity for the team.

The incoming class includes Kaelyn Adams from Columbus, Ohio, and Karina Da Silva from Yorba Linda, California. Other notable additions feature Ariana Duenas from Los Angeles, Sydney Harpster from Riverside, California, and Olivia Hays from Portland, Oregon.

Further strengthening the roster are Ari Hill from Sumner, Washington, Cassidy Kelly from Penryn, California, and Peyton Looney from Pocatello, Idaho. The group also includes Ashley Perez from Leander, Texas, Charlotte Rodriguez from Pasadena, California, and Silvia Shirey from Nashville, Tennessee.

The final recruits announced are Drew Sievers from Santa Monica, California, Ella Smith from Silverdale, Washington, and Kaia Tindukasiri from Brea, California. With this expanded roster, Okamura’s squad is set to compete with a significantly larger pool of talent for the forthcoming competitive cycle.