After finishing as the runner-up the last 3 years, HPU clinches share of first PacWest title

LAIE, HI – After finishing as the runner-up in each of the last three seasons, Hawai‘i Pacific used a 3-0 win at BYU-Hawaii on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to clinch a share of its first Pacific West Conference Men’s Soccer Championship.

The victory leaves the Sea Warriors at 10-2 (30 points) in the PacWest, three points ahead of second-place California Baptist (9-2, 27 points). The Lancers have one game lest on their schedule.

The Sea Warriors will clinch the PacWest title outright if Dixie State can either beat or tie California Baptist on Nov. 5 in Riverside, CA. A victory by the Lancers over Dixie State would mean HPU and CBU would share the title, giving California Baptist four conference championship this fall during their inaugural season in the PacWest.

But the night belonged to the Sea Warriors thanks to a stellar defense that allowed BYU-Hawaii to test goalkeeper Mael Lefebvre just one time.

HPU jumped on the board first with a goal by Johannes Hallman from Truls Lystad at the 22:32 mark. The slim 1-0 lead tripled early in the second half when the Sea Warriors exploded for two goals just over a minute apart.

Kimo Komomua tallied an unassisted goal at 53:41 for a 2-0 lead before Chance Bukoski converted a penalty kick 1:06 later.

HPU ends the regular season with a 14-4-0 record.