ATHERTON, California – Hawai'i Pacific and Menlo traded goals in a dramatic finish Tuesday afternoon at Wunderlich Field, with
Olle Ridelius's second goal of the match in the 89th minute securing a 3-3 draw for the Sharks. The tie moves Hawai'i Pacific to 1-3-2 on the season.
The Sharks struck first in the seventh minute when
Noah Clarkson scored off an assist from Ridelius to make it 1-0. Menlo answered in the 10th minute on a penalty kick from Tim Schwarz to tie it 1-1, but the Sharks retook the lead in the 12th minute when Ridelius scored off an assist from
Felix Leins, sending HPU into the break up 2-1.
Menlo drew level in the 56th minute on a penalty kick from Hugo Few, and Few converted a second penalty in the 69th minute to put the Comets ahead, 3-2. Hawai'i Pacific continued to press and was rewarded in the 90th minute, when Ridelius scored his second goal of the match off an assist from
Kelly Takara to level the score at 3-3, the final result.
Hawai'i Pacific finished with 18 shots, including nine on goal, while Menlo totaled 13 shots with seven on goal; all three of Menlo's goals came from the penalty spot. Sharks goalkeeper
Eduardo Marin made four saves across the full 90 minutes.
Hawai'i Pacific was whistled for 12 fouls to Menlo's 17. HPU's
Danny Pascanu and
Noah Clarkson each picked up yellow cards in the second half, while Menlo had two of its own, including one on the team bench.
Hawai'i Pacific continues its season at home against Chaminade on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Waipio Soccer Complex.
