ST. GEORGE - The Dixie State men's soccer team hadn't played in 12 days. They lost Kyle Yarush (Kingman. AZ/Kingman) to a concussion late in the first half.
Through it all. they led the Pac West leaders at halftime.
But thanks to a patient offense that put the emphasis on ball control. it was only a matter of time before the Hawaii Pacific Sea Warriors found a way to win.
Second-half goals from Chance Bukoski and Adam Rieke helped HPU rally for a 2-1 win over Dixie State in a Pac West matchup on Wednesday night at Hansen Stadium.
"It's been a while since we played. but that happens to everyone during the course of a season. You've got to stop looking for excuses." said Dixie State head coach Danny Ortiz. "No matter how hard you play. some teams will find a way to beat you. We made (HPU) beat us and they did.
"Sometimes. you'll come across teams that are more prepared to win."
Near the end of the first half. Yarush went for a header that nearly beat HPU goalkeeper Matt Terry. but Terry made a rolling stop to his left to deny the goal.
Yarush knocked heads with the Sea Warriors' Nathan Scott on the play. who ended up with a gash on his forehead that required two stitches to close.
"We played well and had the energy in the first half. but it dropped with the injury." said HPU head coach Scott Liedtke. "Possession was there the whole game. and that made a difference."
Seconds after the injury timeout. Juan Diaz de Leon (Orem. UT/Orem) took a perfect crossing feed off a Hyrum Burnham corner kick and parked a header past Terry with less than two minutes left for a 1-0 Dixie State halftime lead.
The Sea Warriors tied the game in the 50th minute when Bukoske poked in his own rebound past DSC goalkeeper Ben Brooksby (Hyde Park. UT/Skyview). then Rieke put HPU ahead for good in the 71st minute on a header that beat Brooksby's replacement. Nate Pond (Provo. UT/Timpview).
"Our team played for each other. We all go as hard as we can. and it paid off." said Reike. who scored his third goal of the season.
Hawaii Pacific improved to 4-0 in conference play and moved into first place in the Pac West standings. Dixie State fell to 1-3-1.
