Hawai'i Pacific men's soccer coach Scott Liedtke saw it in his players' eyes that first day in September as they walked off the field after falling to then-No. 6 Sonoma State, 3-2, in double overtime.

The Sea Warriors had fallen into a 2-0 hole early, but, Liedtke noted with pride, they had continued to battle.

Freshman Chance Bukowski had scored to send the game to overtime. It wasn't until the final 20 seconds that Sonoma State finally put the game away with a goal by Andrew Baily.

It was a disappointing loss, to be sure, but what Liedtke saw in his players that day would have wondrous implications throughout the season.

"There was a look of confidence," Liedtke said. "They showed what they could do and how they were going to react. Even though we didn't win, that game defined the type of players and the type of team that we had."

With a seamless melding of seasoned veterans and impetuous young talent, the 2008 Sea Warriors have re-energized a program that just last year finished 6-9-1 overall.

They posted their first-ever road wins against Hawai'i-Hilo and Brigham Young-Hawai'i. In fact, they swept their Hawai'i rivals for the first time in program history.

And, with just two games left to play, the team is in position to clinch the PacWest championship.

"We couldn't be in a better position," Liedtke said. "Whatever happens, we've already had a successful season."

The Sea Warriors took sole possession of first place last week with a convincing 6-1 win over Chaminade.

The win gave HPU a 7-2 record in the conference, with Notre Dame de Namur (6-1-1) trailing by a half game.

The Argos, who beat HPU 4-0 at home earlier this season, had a chance to take over the top spot with a win over the Sea Warriors on Saturday.

HPU responded to the challenge, scoring two first-half goals then holding on for a double-overtime tie to preserve its conference standing.

The Sea Warriors end their season this week with home games against Dixie State and Grand Canyon.

Notre Dame de Namur faces UH-Hilo (a 2-1 win), Chaminade, and BYUH on the road.

Liedtke says his team needs to win out, and for Notre Dame de Namur to stumble in order to take the crown.

"This is the one time that I'm going to cheer for Hilo and BYUH," Liedtke said, laughing.

Liedtke, a member of the 1996 HPU squad that set a school record with a 17-2-1 record, said much of his team's success can be attributed to good chemistry — chemistry that was fostered by a five-day clinic the team hosted on behalf of AYSO before the season started.

"That was their opportunity, before the season started, to get to know each other, learn how to work together and problem solve together," he said. "By the time we stepped on the field for the first time as a team, all the introductions had been made."

The Sea Warriors have also benefitted from the precocious play of Bukowski, the midfielder from Kapa'a, Kaua'i, who leads the team in points.

"He's the real deal," Liedtke said. "He's just a great kid — coachable, respectful — and you know what you're going to get from him every game, and that's 110 percent effort."

Liedtke has also gotten stellar production from midfielders Linus Ekden (last year's PacWest co-Newcomer of the Year) and Andre Whitt, as well as defender Mike Decaires.

"Our personality has changed," Liedtke said. "In the past, we've been content with doing OK. This year, they've got the feeling that they're a good team. In this game, that makes a big difference. They feel they can score goals against anybody, and that's given them a sense of confidence and a belief in themselves."

BYUH SEEKS PERFECTION

The Seasiders volleyball team blanked Chaminade last week to improve to 12-0 in the PacWest and needs just two more wins this week to finish with a perfect conference record.

That won't be an easy feat.

Tomorrow, the Seasiders face an HPU squad that looks better than its 4-4 conference record.

On Saturday, BYUH faces second-place Hawai'i-Hilo (6-2 PacWest, 13-9 overall). The Vulcans captured the conference crown last year with a 14-0 record.

BYUH's final regular-season match is a non-conference showdown with Utah Valley State on Nov. 12.

BODE IS MASTERFUL

HPU tennis player Hendrik Bode defeated teammate Daniel Luedi, 6-2, 6-2, to win the Hono-lulu Masters Tournament at the Oahu Club on Saturday.

The individual tournament featured HPU athletes and other top tennis players from around the state.

Bode, the West Region player of the year last season, finished with a 14-2 singles record last year. Luedi posted a team-high 18 singles wins.

WRIGHT IS RIGHT BY ESPN

BYUH sophomore defender Stefanie Wright is the lone PacWest player to be recognized in ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-District College Division Team for Region VIII (Western United States).

The team honors players from NCAA DII, DIII and NAIA.

Wright, who is majoring in elementary/special education, carries a 3.95 grade point average.

After switching from midfield to defense this year, Wright helped the Seasiders limit opponents to just eight shots and 1.1 goals per game.

SEASIDERS FAVORED

The PacWest can expect another intense, high-level battle between BYUH and Chaminade this season, according to PacWest men's basketball coaches.

The Seasiders, who finished second behind the Silverswords last season, received four first-place votes and were predicted to win the conference this season. Chaminade received three first-place votes.

According to voters, the rest of the conference will finish: Dixie State, UH-Hilo, HPU, Grand Canyon and Notre Dame de Namur.

The Silverswords (15-3 PacWest, 21-8 overall) beat BYUH (13-5, 20-8) in all three of their PacWest matchups last year, but the Seasiders eliminated Chaminade in the NCAA Division II West Region Semifinal in Alaska.

BYUH junior forward Lucas Alves, who led the PacWest with 20.2 points per game on 67 percent shooting from the field, was the preseason pick for player of the year. He is the only returning All-PacWest first teamer named to this year's all-conference first team.

2008-09 PacWest Preseason All-Conference Men's Basketball Team: Lucas Alves (BYUH), Dan Bergeron (NDNU), Jason Curtis (HPU), Jay DeMaestri (UH-Hilo), Milee Karre (Grand Canyon), Ryan Sanchez (Dixie State), John Smith (UH-Hilo).

ANTELOPES TABBED NO. 1

In preseason balloting, it was obvious that PacWest women's basketball coaches hold dear the way the Antelopes play.

Defending conference champs Grand Canyon received five first-place votes and were the prohibitive favorite to repeat as the PacWest's No. 1 team.

Dixie State (No. 2) and BYUH (No. 3) each received one first-place vote. Coaches and team representatives predicted HPU would finish fourth, followed by Notre Dame de Namur, UH-Hilo and Chaminade, respectively.

Grand Canyon junior guard Rosalyn Nelson (15.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season) was selected to repeat as PacWest Player of the Year.

UH-Hilo's Sheila Acevedo and BYUH's Latoya Wiley were selected to the preseason all-PacWest first team.

2008-09 Preseason All-Conference Women's Basketball Team: Sheila Acevedo (UH-Hilo), Jessica Carver (Dixie St.), Jennifer Dreesen (NDNU), Ashley Hardin (Grand Canyon), Samantha Murphy (Grand Canyon), Rosalyn Nelson (Grand Canyon), Latoya Wiley (BYUH).