HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific opened its season with a 3-0 loss to UT Dallas, Thursday evening at Waipio Soccer Stadium.
UT Dallas broke through in the eighth minute when Gabby Thompson scored unassisted to make it 1-0. HPU answered with its best look of the opening half in the 13th minute, when
Lavinia Vaipulu tested UT Dallas goalkeeper Melyna Martinez with a shot on frame. Sharks goalkeeper
Azjah Tocher made two saves on three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes to keep it a one-goal game at the break, despite UT Dallas holding a 4-2 shot advantage in the first half.
UT Dallas extended its lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute on a goal from Jules Chavez, assisted by Ella Spiller, before Thompson added her second of the match in the 69th minute to make it 3-0.
The Sharks finished with four shots, including three on goal. Vaipulu led HPU with two shots on frame, while
Lauren Longworth and
Lua Maffia each added a shot on target of their own in the second half.
Natalie Navarro took over from Tocher in goal for the second half and made two saves in the final 30 minutes.
Hawai'i Pacific totaled two corner kicks and was whistled for six fouls, while UT Dallas finished with five corners and five fouls.
Hawai'i Pacific continues its season on the road against the University of Hawai'i on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 4:00 p.m., before returning home to face Texas Woman's University on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 2:00 p.m. at Waipio Soccer Stadium.
