Hawaii Pacific University Athletics

HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Hawai'i Pacific Women's Soccer held their Senior Night and hosted Jesup on Monday afternoon at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium, and the Sharks and Warriors played to a 1-1 draw on Senior Night. The tie moves Hawai'i Pacific to 0-13-3 overall and 0-6-2 in PacWest play.

Before the match, Hawai'i Pacific Women's Soccer honored its five seniors: goalkeeper Azjah Tocher, goalkeeper Natalie Navarro, midfielder/forward Lisette Almanza, defender Mary Frances Sluga, and forward Abbey Glover. Each of the five seniors played integral parts in these last few years of HPU Women's Soccer, which was none the more true than tonight.     

Senior Abbey Glover contributed early on helping the Sharks put early offensive pressure on the Warriors. Lavinia Vaipulu put the Sharks' first shot on frame in the ninth minute, and senior Lisette Almanza was denied by Jessup goalkeeper Avery Suhr in the 15th minute. Almanza broke through two minutes later, scoring in the 17th minute off an assist from Kaitlyn Anderson to give Hawai'i Pacific a 1-0 lead. Sharks senior goalkeeper Azjah Tocher made four saves in the first half as Hawai'i Pacific carried the lead into halftime. Mary Frances Sluga was instrumental in helping Tocher shut out the Warriors in the first 45. 

Senior Natalie Navarro took over in goal for the Sharks to start the second half, and Jessup pulled even in the 48th minute when Kambria Steele scored off an assist from Karlee Lywandowsky. Almanza had another look saved in the 61st minute, and Vaipulu put a shot on frame in the 88th minute as Hawai'i Pacific pushed for a winner. Navarro made three saves in the second half. 

Hawai'i Pacific finished with 13 shots, including eight on goal, while Jessup totaled 18 shots with nine on goal. Almanza led the Sharks with five shots, four of them on frame, while Vaipulu added two shots on goal. The Warriors held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks, and Hawai'i Pacific was called for 15 fouls to Jessup's 16. Jessup's Roxanna Medina was issued a yellow card in the 52nd minute, followed by Steele in the 84th.

Hawai'i Pacific concludes their PacWest play and season on the road at Chaminade on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. in Honolulu.