The Seasiders men’s soccer team’s first regular season match resulted in a 2-2 draw at the BYU-Hawaii soccer fields on Saturday against island rival Hawaii Pacific University. “The boy’s play was fabulous,” said Coach Dan Dummar. “They were great. If you saw the game, to be candid, we dominated.”
The Seasiders were the first to score, with Jordan Mcrae scoring both goals in the first half. “We went up 2-0 early and our mindset changed,” said Mcrae, a senior from Utah majoring in human resources. “We sat back and made them come back to us. But once they started pressing a little bit more, that’s when we needed to generate some offense.”
HPU used an aggressive press to start the game by forcing several traps, which resulted in quick turnovers by the Seasiders. In minute 5, BYUH goalie Jaden Epplette made a diving save when Sharks forward Sven Koenig attempted a shot from the right side of the penalty box.
The Sharks’ pressure quickly turned into a Seasider advantage as the BYUH midfielders skillfully controlled the ball and put the pressure on the Sharks’ backline.
An HPU foul in minute 7 lead to a direct kick by Seasider freshman midfielder Pierre Henrio, who placed a precise and well-aimed pass into the middle of the penalty box. There, McRae positioned himself between the Sharks defense and headed the ball past Sharks goalkeeper Chandler Schur for the Seasiders first goal of the game.
The Seasiders struck again three minutes later when McCrae was fouled while attempting to control the ball in the Sharks penalty box. McCrae took the penalty kick, placing the ball into the right corner of the net to increase the Seasider lead to 2-0.
Soon after the second score, the weather, which had been bright and sunny, took a turn for the worst as a steady rain began to fall on the field. The change in weather may have affected the Seasiders game, as the Sharks were able to again find some success in feeding their offensive momentum.
The Sharks’ pressure would pay off when in minute 39, Epplette made a bid at a Shark’s cross, leaving the net open to Sharks forward Josiah Darland, allowing him to score the ball in the Seasiders’ empty net.
The second half was more of the same as the HPU pressure stifled the Seasiders offensive flow. The Sharks capitalized on Seasider turnovers in the mid-region of the field, winning the possession battle in the second half.
In minute 64, HPU striker Koenig, who had threatened to score multiple times with seven shots, finally sent the ball to the back of the net to tie the score at 2-2.
Both teams would battle the remainder of the game, with the momentum going back and forth. Both goalies were forced to make several close saves, but neither team’s offense was able to capitalize on their opportunities in the attacking half, eventually leading to the draw after 20 extra minutes of play.
“We played well as a team. It was a good first game for us,” said Mason Reid, a sophomore from Nevada majoring in information systems. “We were a little inexperienced this game. It was our first of the season, so we need to clean up some little things on defense. But other than that, we look good to go.”
The team is sure this game is a sign of good things to come. “It’s the first game. More offense will come,” said Mcrae.
Writer: Patrick Campbell