Kapa‘a High School graduate and current Hawai‘i Pacific University freshman Chance Bukoski was selected to the Pacific West All-Conference First Team, league officials announced yesterday. “I’m stoked,” he said. “I didn’t think I would do this well, then I did.”
Kapa‘a High School graduate and current Hawai‘i Pacific University freshman Chance Bukoski was selected to the Pacific West All-Conference First Team, league officials announced yesterday.
“I’m stoked,” he said. “I didn’t think I would do this well, then I did.”
The midfielder scored seven goals and had four assists in his first season with the Sea Warriors. Bukoski was one goal shy of tying the school record for goals scored in by an individual in a single season.
“Next year, I’ll get it,” he said.
Bukoski was a member of the Kapa‘a Warriors soccer team that made it all the way to the Division II state championship title. He was a two-time Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association and Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation all-star. At one point, Bukoski was being recruited by UCLA. But Bukoski accepted a partial scholarship from HPU and led the Sea Warriors (9-2-1) to a second place finish in the conference.
Bukoski said he’s enjoyed his first season with the team and admitted that it was not exactly what he expected collegiate soccer to be.
“At first, I thought it was going to be real hardcore. But it’s really laid back,” he said. “My first season was great. The guys are really supportive, loving and cool. Talent wise, I thought the competition was great.”
Joining Bukoski on the First Team was sophomore midfielder Linus Ekden.
Ekden scored four goals and has four assists. He was also last year’s selection for PacWest Newcomer of the Year.
Seniors Toni Bakken and Andre Whitt earned Second Team selections, and senior Mike Decaires and junior goalkeeper Matt Terry were chosen honorable mention.
Whitt played in all 18 matches as a center midfielder in earning his Second Team selection. He posted three goals and three assists on the season.
Bakken received his second selection in as many years. The senior from Kongsvinger, Norway, anchored the back line with center back Decaires, who earned his first conference honor. Bakken started 18 matches and Decaires started 14.
Matt Terry became the second HPU goalkeeper in three years to be selected to the All-PacWest Team. Terry, a former high school All-American from Honolulu, recorded a .672 save percentage and a 1.37 goals against average.
Up next for Bukoski is a Canadian soccer league that serves as a development league.
