Get the feeling that University of Hawai'i-Hilo women's soccer coach Travis Clarke isn't going to be satisfied with another third-place conference finish next year?

Last year's edition of the Vulcans scrapped for a respectable 12-8 overall record (9-3 PacWest) behind a lock-down defense that held opponents to less than one goal per game.

Next season, the Vulcans will bolster that defense while adding considerable firepower thanks to an impressive recruiting class.

At least nine new faces are expected to be in the mix for field time, including recently signed Fresno City College transfer Meghan Cochran, Cal State Monterey Bay transfer Jessica Snell, Utah transfer Adele Letro, Kamehameha-Hawai'i standout Lauren Viera, and highly regarded California recruit Gina Tumasone.

Cochran, a 5-foot-9 junior forward, scored 35 goals and added 16 assists during her two years at Fresno City, ranked No. 5 among Division II schools last year. She was twice honored as a first-team all-conference selection and was named to the 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America second team.

Snell, a rising sophomore, is a quick and aggressive outside defender who twice earned first team all-league honors at Nipomo High School in California.

Letro, the most heralded and perhaps the most unlikely addition to the squad, was a three-time all-Mountain West Conference selection. She ranked No. 6 in scoring in Division I with 17 goals and led the Utes to a 12-5-4 record.

Letro was also the 2005 Mountain West freshman of the year.

Viera was a key component in the Warriors' (17-0) Division II state championship team. The 5-1 defender also considered Washington, Northern Arizona and Pacific.

Tumasone, a 5-3 forward, is the first student-athlete to sign a national letter of intent and receive an athletic scholarship with the Vulcan program. She finished her high school career as the all-time leader in goals (67) at West Ranch High School.

Clarke's other recruits include Erika Sargent (Calif.), Chelsea Gomez (Calif.), Melissa Grant (Calif), Cassie Becker (Calif.), and Shelby Case (Wash.)

MEAD STILL SMOKIN'

Hawai'i Pacific University pitcher Kaimi Mead continues to impress. Yesterday, Mead pitched seven complete innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts, in the first game of a baseball sweep over Dixie State.

HPU won the game, 6-2, and sealed the sweep with a 5-3 victory in the nightcap.

With the win, Mead, who earned conference player of the week honors earlier this month, improved his record to 5-0. The Sea Warriors are 22-7 on the season and are currently ranked No. 7 in the West Region poll.