WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Pacific University men started the season off right Saturday with a 2-0 shutout of cross-town rival Chaminade in non-conference action at the Waipio Soccer Stadium.
 
The Sharks (1-0) were in control throughout the 90 minutes, scoring both goals in the first half in beating the Silverswords (0-1).
 
Junior Jair Espinoza of San Miguel Petapa, Guatemala, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, and junior Luiz Garcia of Campo Grande, Brazil, a transfer from Cloud County CC, led the Sharks with both goals. Espinoza also added an assist.
 
HPU junior goalkeeper Chandler Schur of Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg Career Magnet, tallied two saves in facing six Chaminade shots.
 
The Sharks got on the board in the 28th minute on a beautiful right side play that saw Espinoza go up the sideline and cross to junior transfer Isac Mansson of Stockholm, Sweden via Central Connecticut State. Mansson found a wide open Garcia who rifled his shot into the left side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
 
HPU scored again just five minutes later. Junior Christian Porras of Rockville, Md./Rockville lofted a cross from the left side of the box, where Espinoza finished the play with a header to the right corner in the 33rd minute.
 
Both teams had chances in the second half, but neither could score.
 
HPU pelted Chaminade with 14 total shots in the contest, with keeper Michael Stafford picking up four save and allowing two goals.
 
The two teams will meet again in PacWest Conference play to close the season on Saturday, Nov. 3.
 
The Sharks are off until Thursday, Sept. 13, when they travel to the mainland and the Pacific Northwest to face Seattle Pacific in a 4 p.m. HST contest before visiting Western Washington on Saturday, Sept. 15.
 
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