WAIPIʻO— Anthony Najafi scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute as the Hawaiʻi Pacific University men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on Saturday afternoon at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The Sharks improved to 5-5-3 overall and 4-2-1 in PacWest play, while the Vulcans fell to 4-6-3 overall and 1-3-3 in conference action.
Najafi, who entered the match in the 70th minute, needed just over a minute to make his impact, finding the back of the net at the 70:13 mark for his second goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Eduardo Marin anchored the Sharks' defense, recording four saves in 90 minutes to secure the shutout.
HPU controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting Hilo 14-7, including a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.
The Sharks generated several scoring opportunities in the opening half. Kelly Takara forced a save from Hilo goalkeeper Diego Bastias in the 18th minute before Paul Norberg put another attempt on target in the 22nd minute.
HPU continued applying pressure as Noah Clarkson recorded a shot on goal in the 30th minute, followed by an attempt from Royal Kekuewa just over a minute later. Despite holding a 6-3 advantage in first-half shots, the Sharks entered halftime in a scoreless tie.
The Sharks maintained their offensive pressure after the break, with Olle Ridelius testing Bastias in the 47th minute.
Danny Pascanu created another opportunity in the 68th minute, placing a shot on target before Bastias made the save.
Najafi entered the match at the 69:12 mark and delivered the decisive goal just 61 seconds later, giving HPU a 1-0 advantage with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Hilo responded with three shots on goal between the 76th and 78th minutes, but Marin turned away attempts from Jakob Santiago, Dylan Flores and Keita Goto to preserve the lead.
The Vulcans were reduced to 10 players in the 82nd minute following a red card issued to Yannick Langerhuizen. HPU maintained its advantage through the final whistle to secure the conference victory.
Norberg led the Sharks with four shots, while Pascanu, Takara and Kekuewa each recorded two. Pascanu placed both of his attempts on target.
Marin finished with four saves, while Hilo's Bastias recorded seven in the loss.
The victory moves HPU to 5-5-3 overall and 4-2-1 in PacWest play.
