Big Goals Lie Ahead For Bukoski
Chance Bukoski. Photo courtesy HPU Athletics
Chance Bukoski is approaching the end of a college career in which he has compiled huge numbers and been a part of the surging Hawaii Pacific University soccer program.
After graduating from Kapa’a High School in the spring of 2008, Bukoski stepped right into the Sea Warriors program and led the team in goals (7) and points (18) as a freshman. He has improved upon those numbers each season since and led the PacWest Conference in 2010 with 13 goals and 34 points. With a few games remaining this season, Bukoski has 45 career goals and 20 assists in 67 matches. During that time, the Sea Warriors have put together a record of 46-17-4.
“I think I improved a lot since being at HPU,” the striker says. “(I’ve been) playing over the summer in other leagues on the Mainland, and coming back and doing the best I can to perform my best and help the team win.”
Approaching the finale of his college career, Bukoski has his sights set high for future endeavors, both on and off the pitch.
“I plan to play professionally, that’s my first option,” he says. “But since I’m going to be graduating soon, I’d like to start my own business something with sports and kids. I would like to stay in Hawaii for that, but since professional soccer is elsewhere, I’ll come back to that goal of mine.”
A surefire bet to bet to be named to the AllPacWest First Team for the third straight season, Bukoski is once again in the race to lead the conference in both goals and points. Through nine conference games, he leads all PacWest players with 21 points, one ahead of Grand Canyon’s Saeed Robinson. He and Robinson are tied for top honors with nine goals apiece.
“(Leading the conference) has been a goal of mine since I started to play college soccer, but I try to look beyond that. I’m shooting for first in the nation for goals. I mean, if I can do that, then the rest will fall into place. I would be stoked beyond words if I can pull that off,” he says.
His 12 total goals so far this season put him in a tie for eighth in the country among Division II players.
“These past four years went by so fast, I wish I could start it all over again,” he says. “But throughout it all, every time I stepped on the field I created a memory I will never forget. I just want to make history and leave a mark at Hawaii Pacific University before I leave that place.”
Sitting at 10-4 for the season and 7-2 in conference, HPU completed PacWest play Oct. 19 with a home game against Dixie State. Its regular season finishes with the Hawaii Challenge Cup, facing BYU-Hawaii (Oct. 21), Chaminade (Oct. 29) and BYU-Hawaii (Nov. 2).
