Box Score DENVER, CO (September 7, 2014) – The Hawai'i Pacific Men's Soccer Team (2-1-1) finished its trip to the mainland with a 2-1 loss to Metropolitan State University of Denver (1-0) on Sunday.
 
The Sharks started off the match aggressively and came out attacking – a tactic that already brought them two wins this season.  In a balanced game, HPU managed to create some good chances in the first period, including a good shot on target by Erik Kemsies in the 11th minute.
 
The second half presented a similar picture as the first one. Both teams were evenly matched and played a tough game. In the 63rd minute, Daniel Haehre took advantage of the defensive inattention of Metro State and scored to give the lead to the Sharks after assist from Mario Garcia. It was already Garcia's second assist for the season after setting up Kona Gaison's goal against Chaminade University.
 
After the goal, the game became more physical, resulting in more fouls from both teams.
 
The Roadrunners, however, managed to score the equalizing goal in minute 76 with a shot from inside the box, bringing the game back to a tie. Just three minutes later, the MSU offense took the lead with another shot from inside the box, resulting in what became a 2-1 win for Metro State. HPU continued to fight hard but was not able to overcome Denver's well-attuned defensive line-up for the rest of the match.
 
"The way we played, we deserved a win out of these two games. We just ran out of gas," said Head Coach Chris Fisher. "Our build up is good, now we have to get better at creating and finishing chances in the final third of the field."
 
Sharks keeper Eduardo Palacios, finished with six saves, the freshman killed two MSU shots with just four minutes left in the game.
 
In the 87th minute, HPU top scorer Brais Garcia tried to tie the game again with a good shot, but missed the goal just a few inches.
 
The statistics present a balanced game with a slight advantage in shots for MSU (16-14).  The physical play resulted in a total of six yellow cards (HPU 4-2). Haehre and Gaison both played an active game for the Sharks on offense with three shots each.
 
The Sharks now travel back to the island to open their home season on September 13th at 12:30 pm against University of Hawai'i Hilo in Kaneohe.