Box Score

DALLAS, Tex. - Western Athletic Conference leader SMU (8-4-3, 4-0-1 WAC) defeated the Rainbow Wahine (5-7-3, 2-2-0 WAC), 4-0 at Westcott Field today to remain unbeaten in league play and hand Hawaii its second straight WAC loss.

Just two minutes and 26 seconds after kick-off, SMU created their first scoring threat, working the ball downfield with a series of passes, eventually earning a corner kick. Misty Noland's service found the head of an SMU attacker, but the shot sailed well over the cross bar.

A few moments later the Rainbow Wahine created their first scoring chance when Natalie Groenewoud sent a long ball over the top of the SMU defense, allowing Natasha Kai to run on and send a cross across the goalmouth to an awaiting Arlene Devitt. But Mustang keeper a Erin McLeod's diving deflection pushed the ball just out of the reach of Devitt. Devitt did chase down the loose ball, but could not get-off a threatening shot.

Near the 14 minute mark, SMU had a genuine opportunity fall by the wayside when Hawaii keeper Mahie Atay's save of a Erin MacCallum's shot from the top of the Rainbow penalty box bounced free back to MacCallum. The sophomore forward re-loaded and took a second shot with Atay sprawled 15 yards from the goal. But Groenewoud, who had sprinted in from her right wing position, headed the ball away from the otherwise empty goal.

Freshmen Carmen Calpo and Jennifer Martin made unexpected appearances in the starting lineups for their respective teams. Calpo, usually a midfielder, swapped spots with Devitt, starting at striker, while Martin started in the midfield in place of pre-season Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Tara Comfort.

October 14th WAC Offensive Player of the Week Kai had another chance to give Hawaii the first goal of the contest when she broke free onto a Devitt through ball inside the SMU penalty box. But McLeod made a sure-handed save of Kai's left-footed effort from 15 yards out.

Near the 37th minute, Hawaii came away empty handed on another strong opportunity when Devitt's left-footed shot from 16 yards out sailed wide right of the goal. Kai collected a long clearance by the Wahine defense, turned and sent Devitt through with a well-paced ball.

Good fortune eluded the Wahine on SMU's first score of the match. A deflection off of a Hawaii defender found Mustang sophomore Amanda Jordan outside the left border of the Rainbow penalty box, setting her up for the first-time shot attempt from about 25 yards out that crept in under the cross bar and settled in the far corner of the net. The goal was registered with just 4:33 remaining in the first period.

In the second period, SMU tacked-on another score when Jill Heinemann headed a Misty Noland ball into an open net at 61:27. Noland sent her long, high pass to Heinemann at the center of the Hawaii penalty box to set up the score. Wahine keeper Atay and defender Noelle Takemoto both rushed-out toward Heinemann, but could not get there before she could put her head on the ball.

SMU added to its lead at 72:16 when Kim Harvey sent Lauren Mussallem through for an easy right-footed goal. Mussallem outran the Hawaii defender on her side, raced to the ball and then pushed her shot past an on-rushing Atay. The fourth SMU score came a few minutes later when Ashley VanMeter posted her first goal of the year.

Conference play continues on Oct. 25 and 27, when Hawaii hosts Boise State and Nevada at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

On Monday, the Rainbow Wahine will complete their second road trip of the year with a non-conference match at former WAC rival TCU. That match is set for 4:00 p.m.

On Nov. 1 and Nov. 3, Hawaii will play another pair of conference road contests, traveling to play San Jose State and Fresno State in California.

Last season the Rainbows closed the WAC schedule with three consecutive league wins to advance to the conference championship tournament. -uh-