Box Score

HONOLULU- Two of the most explosive teams in the Western Athletic Conference put on some offensive fireworks with SMU holding off upset-minded Hawaii, 4-3 Friday night at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. All seven goals came in the first half as a valiant comeback effort by the Rainbow Wahine to erase a three-goal deficit fell just short.

SMU (10-2, 3-0 WAC) built a commanding 4-1 lead 30 minutes into the match, only to see UH score back-to-back goals in a span of less than 10 minutes. The Rainbow Wahine (7-4-1, 2-1 WAC) had at least three legitimate chances to tie the match in the second half, but were unable to convert.

The match got off to a furious start as the teams combined for three goals in the first four minutes of play. The Mustangs stunned UH by scoring just 1:27 into the game. Lauren Mussallem fired a left-footed shot just outside the box that hit the crossbar and into the goal, past a leaping Mahie Atay. Two minutes later, the Mustangs went up 2-0 when Amanda Jordan sent a perfect diagonal pass from the left midfield to a streaking Olivia O'Rear who hammered a point-blank shot into the back of the net.

UH responded 10 seconds later at the 3:50 mark when a Robyn deHay fed a speeding Natasha Kai who burst past the Mustang defense and scored a breakaway goal from the left side of the box, to cut the lead to 2-1.

SMU seemed to take control of the match with goals by Erin MacCallum (12:23) and Kim Harvey (30:56) to lead 4-1. But, UH wouldn't quit as Kalena Eaton scored her second goal to the season less than 30 seconds after SMU's fourth goal. After an SMU handball in the box, Arlene Devitt converted on a penalty kick to cut the deficit back to one with close seven minutes left in the first half.

Unlike the first half, the second half proved scoreless, but not devoid of chances by both squads. UH had numerous opportunities, including a shot by Devitt that went off the post and a desperate shot by deHay in the final minute of the match that swerved just right of the goal.

The play was fast-paced throughout with a bevy of attacks and counterattacks. The teams each got off 21 shots with 10 on goal. Amanda Clark registered seven saves, while junior Erin Chow replaced an injured Atay at the start of the second half and shutout SMU with five saves.

The Rainbow Wahine next face UTEP on Sunday, Oct. 5. Game time is 5 p.m. at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium

Line Score
SMU 4 0 -- 4
Hawaii 3 0 -- 3

-uh-