Box Score

HONOLULU--The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine soccer squad opened the 2002 soccer season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw versus the UAB Blazers in the OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi, Friday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. UH escaped an opening night loss by scoring late in regulation, while both teams failed to score in the ensuing overtime periods.

The Blazers and Rainbow Wahine played toe-to-toe for nearly the entire match. UH was aggressive on offense early and had two solid shots on goal in the match's first 10 minutes. But UAB got on the board first at the 27:32 mark when Jenny Rynders deflected Briana McCarty's free kick from 45 yards in over an outstretch Jennifer Churchill.

UH was looking for an answer for the rest of the match and finally got it from freshman sensation Natasha Kai. The speedy striker scored with just 10:33 left in regulation when fellow frosh Carmen Calpo crossed the ball I the middle of the box. After the ball deflected off a UAB defender, Kai beat Blazer goalie Lisa Nowoslawski to the loose ball, pivoted and chipped a left-footed shot from close range past the helpless keeper. Kai, the evening's offensive standout, finished with a match-high nine shots, including six on goal.

With both teams fighting fatigue in overtime, scoring opportunities were rare. UAB's Jill Knottek managed a shot in the box just two minutes into overtime, but it was saved by Mahie Atay. The Rainbow Wahine played the final 7:38 of overtime with 10 players as starting defender Krystalynn Ontai was ejected following her second yellow card of the match, yet managed to hold off the Blazers.

The action continues tomorrow with UAB taking on the Wyoming Cowgirls at 5 p.m. The Rainbow Wahine next take the field against Wyoming at 7 p.m. to conclude the tournament. - uh -