KANEOHE, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University scored all four of its goals in the second half as the Sharks opened the 2017 men's soccer season with a 4-1 romp over Hawai'i Hilo in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Atherton Field.
 
The Sharks (1-0) found themselves down 1-0 to the Vulcans (0-1) at the half before answering the bell in the second with a goal six minutes in to tie the game.
 
Forward Josch Cuerten scored the first two goals for the Sharks this season.
 
The senior from Cologne, Germany, was the recipient of two strong passes to get HPU's first tally in the 52nd minute. Christopher Galang brought the ball up field, then cut it across to Gerrit Arzberger who found Cuerten open on the right side. Cuerten buried the ball in the back of the next to tie the match at 1-all.
 
A minute later in the 53rd minute, the Vulcans were called for a foul in the penalty area that gave Cuerten a chance for the game-winner. Cuerten converted the penalty kick to put HPU up 2-0.
 
Arzenberger joined in the scoring fun 14 minutes later when Mario Garcia threaded a needle with a nifty assist pass. Arzenberger took the feed and cashed it in for a 3-1 advantage in the 67th minute.
 
 But HPU was not finished, scoring again in the 85th minute. Arzenberger took a throw-in from Zen Roten and found sophomore Christian Porras of Rockville, Md. Open for a one-timer to put HPU up 4-1.
 
The only blemish on the Sharks day came in the first half when Xahil McDonald found the ricochet rebound of Jake Sagami's shot off Shark goalkeeper Daniel Arnoll in the 38th minute. McDonald fired the ball past Arnoll to give the Vulcan a 1-0 lead just before half.
 
Arnoll posted three saves on the day for the Sharks against seven UH Hilo shots.
 
He Sharks peppered Vulcan keeper Nick Williams with 20 shots. Williams recorded five saves to go with the four goals allowed.
 
The Sharks will play again on Thursday afternoon when they host Stanislaus State (Calf.) in non-conference play. The match is at 4 p.m., at the Waipio Soccer Complex Field #5 in Waipahu.