KANEOHE, Hawaii – Stepping onto a muddy Atherton Field following the women's match, ART U men's soccer could not overcome back-to-back goals by Hawaii Pacific in the first 20 minutes and fell 5-0. In the first Pacific West Conference contest for both teams, periodic rainstorms and slippery terrain seemed to play to Sharks' strengths.
"Traveling and playing in these severe weather conditions is hard and we have to be mentally tougher when playing in those terms," said head coach
Mike Keller. "I think the boys will really learn from this and have a good showing Monday."
After making a save in the first one minute and 20 seconds, freshman goalkeeper
Kevin Mendez found himself on the receiving end of numerous first half shots and it was in the 17th minute that HPU struck first. Sven Koenig received a through ball and put away his shot for a 1-0 lead which soon became 2-0 as Josch Cuerten launched one from a little under 18 yards out for the score.
During a 12-minute span shortly thereafter, senior midfielders
Malcolm McLellan and
Kristof Urbanyi each had quality looks on frame, but Hawaii Pacific keeper Eduardo Palacios responded with the save repeatedly. Frustration continued into the second half where the Sharks went up 3-0 in the 55th minute and two more goals were added in the final third of the match.
Academy of Art is now 2-2-1 overall this season and carries a 0-1 PacWest record. Urbanyi finished with two shots on goal and teammates senior midfielder
Malcolm McLellan as well as sophomore forward
Alexander Tombach each had one apiece.
Hawaii Pacific is now 3-2 on the year with a 1-0 conference record. Each of the Sharks' goals were scored by a different player though Keemsies and Cuerten combined for three attempts on frame.
ART U remains on the island of Oahu and heads to Laie for its next PacWest match, a pairing with BYU-Hawaii on Monday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. HT (6 p.m. PT).
"We are really going to focus on getting back to ART U soccer," said Keller. "Playing a good team game and leaving it all on the field is what we are all about and we are happy Monday is going to come quickly."
