LA MIRADA, California – Hawai'i Pacific rallied from a two-goal deficit to draw Biola, 2-2, Monday night at Al Barbour Field. The tie moves Hawai'i Pacific to 3-3-3 on the season and 1-0-1 in PacWest play, extending the Sharks' unbeaten run in conference play. The Sharks currently sit tied atop the PacWest standings.
Biola struck early, as Ryan Ellsworth scored in the third minute off an assist from Daniel Celis and Gauthier Caloz to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Biola doubled its advantage in the 38th minute when Kyle Denn scored. Hawai'i Pacific answered before the break, as
Jackson Palladino scored unassisted in the 41st minute to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into halftime.
Hawai'i Pacific pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and found it in the 88th minute, when
Olle Ridelius scored off an assist from
Paul Norberg to level the match at 2-2, the eventual final score. It marked the third straight match in which Ridelius has scored a late goal for the Sharks.
Hawai'i Pacific out-shot Biola 15-10 on the night, with a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. The Sharks' defensive core was once again exceptional, with just three shots on goal challenging keeper
Oliver Holt across the 90 minutes.
Hawai'i Pacific was whistled for 15 fouls to Biola's 21 in a heavily officiated match that produced 10 yellow cards. HPU's
Maxemilian Toernkvist Angestav,
Yony Avelar,
Royal Kekuewa, and
Sam Gantner each received a card, while Biola also received six yellow cards. Hawai'i Pacific held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
Hawai'i Pacific continues its PacWest play on the road against Concordia Irvine on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Irvine, California.
