Waipahu, HI – The Hawaii Pacific University women's soccer team edged Menlo College 1-0 in a Saturday morning matchup at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. The Sharks improved their season record to 3-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play, while the Oaks dropped to 0-7-2 overall and 0-4-1 in the conference.
HPU wasted no time taking control of the game. Just six seconds into the match, Saraya Burghardt struck gold, netting her first goal of the season. The swift goal came off a perfectly placed assist by Justice Valdez, putting the Sharks ahead early and proving to be the game-winner.
Match Stats:
- Shots: HPU 18 (5 on goal) | Menlo 10 (7 on goal)
- Saves: HPU 7 | Menlo 4
- Corner Kicks: HPU 6 | Menlo 4
- Fouls: HPU 11 | Menlo 12
HPU controlled the flow of the game, outshooting Menlo 18-10. While only five of the Sharks' shots were on target, they forced Menlo's goalkeeper into four saves, with a couple of dangerous opportunities. Menlo ramped up the pressure in the second half, taking seven of their ten shots in the final 45 minutes, but Lolo Retsky stood tall between the posts for HPU, registering seven saves and securing the clean sheet.
Both teams battled physically throughout the game, resulting in a combined 23 fouls. HPU's Saraya Burghardt received a yellow card in the 49th minute, but the Sharks maintained their focus and held firm against Menlo's late advances.
With this win, the Sharks will look to build on their momentum as they approach the final stretch of conference play.
