KANEOHE, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University midfielder Rhys Wynbrandt headed in a corner kick in the 93rd minute to lead the Sharks to a 2-1 overtime victory against Pace (N.Y.) to open the season Thursday afternoon at Atherton Field on HPU's Hawai'i Loa Campus.
 
HPU senior senior Sara Romo sent the ball from the left corner across the box to Wynbrandt at the back right post. Wynbrandt, a sophomore from Sacramento, Calif./St. Francis, was wide open and headed the ball into the back of the net for the winner.
 
"It's a great way to start the season," said HPU Coach Gina Brewer. "I'm proud of the way we stepped up and finished."
 
The game was scoreless after the first half when the Setters (0-1) opened the scoring on Emma Sinanan's goal in the 54th minute on a feed from Lynzee Kelty to go up 1-0.
 
HPU (1-0) answered back eight minutes later when Ebony Madrid to a cross from the right side by Nina Gonzales and hit the net to tie the game at 1-all in the 62nd minute.
 
HPU junior goalkeeper Lauren Spencer of Oxford, Mich./Oxford, tallied three saves and allowed a goal while facing 11 Pace shots.
 
Pace's Haley Pascoal recorded one first half save against two HPU shots, but was replaced by Aisha Chauhan who tallied two saves and allowed two goals versus six Shark shots.
 
The Sharks will be in action again at Atherton Field on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 when they host Cal State Dominguez Hills. HPU will honor the memory of former Shark Kaisha Chu in ceremonies prior to the game.
 
+++ HPU +++