HAYWARD, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University sophomore
Sven Koenig had a hat-trick and an assist in the first 22 minutes in leading the Sharks to 6-0 win over Holy Names at Pioneer Stadium.
The Sharks (1-2-2, 1-0) picked up their first win of the season to open PacWest Conference play. HNU fell to 0-3-1 with the loss.
"This was a game we needed," said HPU coach
Chris Fisher. "We finished our chances early and were able to manage the game. It's a great beginning for the conference season."
Koenig, a sophomore forward from Schuerte, Germany, collected his first collegiate three goal game and the second multiple goal game of his career.
Koenig scored his first goal in the sixth minute of the game off a cross from freshman midfielder
Christian Porras.
He added a second just two minutes later on another assist from Porras.
The assist came on the third goal as Koenig found an open
Josch Cuerten who collected his first goal of the season in the 14th minute.
Cuertin, a junior midfielder from Cologne, Germany, got to repay Koening just eight minutes later when he sent the ball to the forward who blasted it in for his seventh goal of the season in turning the hat-trick in the 22nd minute of action and lift the score to 4-0.
HPU wasn't through scoring in the first half as senior midfielder
Erik Kemsies of Velgast, Germany got his first goal of the season when he converted a penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
HPU added one more for insurance just before halftime when Porras got his third assist of the game when he sent a corner kick into position for junior midfielder
Divin Fula Luzolo to head into the net. Luzolo, from LeMans, France, scored his first goal of the season as well.
The defense was tight as well for the Sharks, as starting goalkeeper freshman
Chandler Schur of Fayetteville, Pa., faced only four shots – with none on goal in the first half. Senior
Jesse Kunitomo of Mililani, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama took over in the second half and recorded a save on the only shot on goal of the three attempted by HNU.
The Sharks remain on the mainland for one more match on Saturday, as they visit Dominican (Calif.). The contest at Kennelly Field is set for 8 a.m. HST (11 a.m. PDT).
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