WAIPAHU, Hawai'i - Hawai'i Pacific University (2-0-1) dominated Cal Poly Humboldt (1-2-1) Saturday night with an outstanding three-goal second half.

Things looked bleak for the Sharks when the Lumberjacks' Nathan Murff was able to find the back of the net early in the first half of play. The 'Jacks handled the ball extremely well during the first half and actively challenged the Sharks for control of the ball. 

However, the Sharks surged out of the halftime break looking almost like a completely different team. Off the kick, HPU controlled the ball for the vast majority of the second half.

Sophomore winger Jackson Palladino was the first Shark to best the 'Jacks junior goalkeeper Edwin Monterrosa, assisted by a beautiful pass from graduate Dylan Barriera, with a ripping kick to the high left side of the goal.

Seemingly inspired by Palladino, junior striker Kelly Takara of Aiea secured the lead for the Sharks just minutes later with a near-identical play, with the assist coming from freshman centerback Alex Arguijo. 

However, the final blow to fell the 'Jacks came when junior midfielder Yony Avelar connected to Takara deep in the Sharks territory during a 'Jacks press. Takara quickly noticed that Monterrosa was dangerously out of position, being closer to midfield than his net. Takara then rips an absolute blast across three-fourths of the pitch to the lower-dead-center of the net on a single bounce. Monterrosa barely made it back to the 18-yard box before the ball was in. 

The Sharks were not without their blemishes on the night, as Avelar picked up his first yellow of the season. 

The Sharks return to action on this Tuesday, Sept. 16th at 7 p.m. as they host their cross–town rivals, the Chaminade Silverswords, at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.