Box Score

HONOLULU - Another strong effort by the Hawai`i defense and a 44th minute goal by Natalie Groenewoud propelled the Rainbow Wahine over Rice, 1-0, in a Western Athletic Conference match that saw Hawai`i post its third consecutive shutout.

Groenewoud, a sophomore wing midfielder from North Vancouver, Canada, ran onto a Joelle Sugai cross with just 34 seconds remaining in the first period to give the Rainbows the margin of victory. Midfielder Sasha Araya-Schraner initiated the scoring opportunity when she fed Sugai, who was waiting on the left flank. Both Sugai (4) and Araya-Schraner (2) were credited with assists. The goal was Groenewoud's second of the season.

The Hawai`i defensive unit stood firm once again, holding their third straight opponent without a goal. The back line of Krystalynn Ontai, Jessica Uecker, and Noelle Takemoto, and keeper Mahie Atay limited the Owls to 10 shots on the night. After registering their first shutout of the season in Hawai`i's 4-0 victory over Weber State, the Rainbow defensive unit responded with a pair of scoreless efforts to open the 2002 Western Athletic Conference season. Hawai`i has yet to allow a score in league play.

Atay, a freshman from Kahului, Maui, has been outstanding since the start of conference action. Through two matches and over 160 minutes, Atay has posted a perfect 0.00 goals against average while recording 12 saves. Ontai, Uecker and Takemoto have played well in front of Atay to push Hawai`i's scoreless minutes streak up to over 285 minutes.

Hawai`i departs for its first conference road trip of the season this coming Tuesday. The Rainbow Wahine will take-on WAC rivals UTEP and SMU, before completing the trip with a non-conference match at TCU.