Box Score KANEOHE, HI (October 17, 2014) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Soccer Team (7-5-1, 5-2) lost a PacWest game against BYU-Hawai'i (5-5-2, 5-1-1) 2-1 on Friday afternoon at Atherton Field.
The Sharks started their last game on home ground before traveling to the mainland with a good shot from Christopher Galang that went just a few inches over the crossbar (6').
However, it was the Seasiders who grabbed the early lead after a high ball from the midfield found an unmarked BYU-H player inside the box who chipped the ball over the keeper and into the goal ( 9').
Just two minutes later (11'), the Seasiders struck again. This time, a low pass through the HPU defense ended up in front of a BYU-H player who did not give the keeper any chance with a powerful shot.
In the following course, HPU tried hard to score, but faced a very smart and efficiently playing BYU-H defense. The Seasiders came out early and managed to interrupt HPU's flow with good forechecking.
The Sharks, focusing on their offensive play, also were confronted with fast played counterattacks, resulting in some more chances for the Seasiders.
After the changeover, the Sharks found their game. Playing physically and more aggressive, HPU was able to break the Seasiders offensive play and to gain control over the game. Erik Kemsies, Daniel Haehre and Bronson Ino all had good shots that challenged the BYU-H goalie.
As time was counting against the Sharks mercilessly, the Sharks fighting spirit was rewarded late (89'). It was Jackson Groves who scored, to make it 2-1, with a good shot from inside the box. Groves, a key player in HPU's last few games, scored his fifth goal in the last three contests.
Following, HPU started an all-out attack, but the remaining minute was not enough to tie the game.
HPU dominated the second period in shots (9-4), but BYU led the overall statistics (14-13). Both teams had six shots on goal. HPU's keeper Jesse Kunitomo finished with five saves.
The Sharks will now travel to the mainland to play three road games. The next match will take place on October 21st, in Oakland, against Holy Names University.
