HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific and UT Dallas played a back-and-forth battle Friday night at Waipio Soccer Complex, with the Comets closing the match on a three-goal run to escape with a 4-2 win over the Sharks. The loss drops Hawai'i Pacific to 1-2-0 on the season.
UT Dallas broke through in the 36th minute when Osi Iyamah scored off an assist from Jordan Jones. HPU answered right before the break, as
Ryder Breeden scored in the 45th minute off an assist from
Konrad Mueller to tie it 1-1 at halftime. Sharks goalkeeper
Eduardo Marin made five saves in the opening half.
The Sharks took their first lead of the match in the 54th minute when
Paul Norberg scored unassisted to make it 2-1. UT Dallas answered in the 67th minute, as Evan Pustejovsky scored off an assist from Tabor Robinson to level the score at 2-2. The Comets took the lead for good in the 81st minute on a goal from Owen Lagerwey, assisted by Carson Burden, before Burden added a penalty kick goal in the 83rd minute to make it 4-2.
Hawai'i Pacific finished with six shots, including four on goal, while UT Dallas out-shot the Sharks 18-10 overall. Marin made six saves across the full 90 minutes in goal for HPU.
Hawai'i Pacific was whistled for 17 fouls to UT Dallas' 16, while the Comets held an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.
Tyson Norr picked up a yellow card for HPU in the 83rd minute, while UT Dallas' Avery Brazzell was carded in the 82nd minute. The loss drops Hawai'i Pacific to 1-2-0 on the season.
Hawai'i Pacific continues its season on the road against Stanislaus State on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:00 p.m. in Turlock, California.
