WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – PacWest Conference leader Dixie State did something Monday that no other team had been able to do this season, shut out Hawai'i Pacific University, as the Trailblazers handed the Sharks a 3-0 loss at the Waipio Soccer Park.
The Sharks (2-4-4, 2-2-2) did not score for the first time since dropping a 1-0 decision at BYU-Hawaii on Nov. 5, 2015. Dixie State (8-3-0, 6-0-0) won its eighth straight in opening a six point lead in the conference standings.
Both teams recorded seven shots in the contest, with HPU placing two shots on goal and DSU four shots on goal.
The Trailblazers got on the board early with Gabby Media getting a straight on shot from 25 yards out in the 22nd minute.
The match stayed at 1-0 until the 53rd minute when DSU's Sean Jenne blasted a shot in from about 30 yards out.
The Trailblazers got their final tally 11 minutes later in the 64th minute when HPU goalkeeper
Jesse Kunitomo slipped when coming out for a loose ball and DSU's Ather Dawood was able to flick it away then softly punch it in the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.
It was not a good afternoon for PacWest leading scorer
Sven Koenig. The Sharks sophomore from Schuerte, Germany was only able to take three shots on the day, with one hitting the post. It was the first game this season Koenig was held without a goal.
Kunitomo, a senior from Mililani, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama, recorded one save for the Sharks. Dixie State had one save from both keepers, Zack Nielson and Eddie Ortiz.
HPU will be back on the pitch on Saturday at noon against California Baptist. The match is scheduled for Atherton Field in Kaneohe.
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