Men's Soccer Adds 11 Newcomers Through Transition

Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of University of Hawaii Hilo

First-year coach Garrett Estrin’s first class features eight freshman and three transfers.

HILO, Hawai’i – The 2022 Hawai’i Hilo men’s soccer team under first-year head coach Garrett Estrin features 11 incoming players to mesh with a dozen returnees from a year ago.

After former head coach Paul Regrutto stepped down at the beginning of the year, it wasn’t until the end of May when Estrin was named to helm the program.

“For the returning group of players, dealing with the adversity of going through the coaching transition and then working through the spring semester without a head coach in place definitely has its challenges,” Estrin said, who comes from his most recent stint as both women’s soccer and softball head coach at College of the Desert. “They probably dealt with it the best they could and waited patiently.”

In the interim, incumbent assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Terry Yamane had brought on eight freshman and three transfers.

“Terry was the piece of the puzzle that held it all together because he did all the intangibles and things that people don’t see in the coaching part of the world that really keeps a program going,” Estrin continued. “Overall, the transition has been good on their part and pretty solid on my part. I’m really excited so far from what I’ve seen.”

The Vulcans opened camp on Aug. 9 and fall classes began Aug. 22.