KANEOHE, Hawai`i--Xahil McDonald scored a first half goal to give visiting Hawai`i Hilo a 1-0 lead at the break, allowing the Vulcans visions of an season-opening upset win on Saturday afternoon at Atherton Field against Hawai`i Pacific.

But the Sharks found the net four times in the second half to roll to a 4-1 non-conference win over their island rivals. It was the first match of the year for both schools.

McDonald, a transfer from Humboldt State, broke open a scoreless deadlock at 37:16 in the first half. Seconds earlier,teammate Jake Sagami had blasted a shot from the right side that was punched out of the box by Sharks goalkeeper Daniel Arnoll, but McDonald took the rebound and flicked it back into the net. The Vulcans made that lead stand up until intermission. HPU outshot the Vulcans 7-3 in the first half, but all three of UHH's shots were on goal and were potential scores.

It didn't take the hosts long to get the ship righted in the second half. Just six minutes after the break, Josch Cuerten scored twice in a two minute span to give the Sharks the lead. The second score came courtesy of a penalty kick.

Gerrit Arzberger added insurance for HPU with just over 20 minutes left, but the Vulcans nearly came right back, missing a golden opportunity to pull back to within a goal ten minutes later when a Jack Stonehouse blast bounced off the top of the crossbar. One minute later, Christian Porras added one more counter for the Sharks to account for the final 4-1 tally.

Hawai`i Pacific finished with 20 shots on the day, nine on goal that were saved by UHH keeper Nick Williams, a junior playing in his first match for the Vulcans. UH Hilo had seven shots, four on goal. 

The Vulcans will play another league opponent in a non-conference match on Monday, visiting Chaminade. Start time is 3:30 p.m.