Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif--The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine soccer team used a strong second-half performance to beat Cal State Northridge, 2-0, at Matador Soccer Field Friday afternoon. Hawaii improved to 2-1 on the season while CS Northridge dropped to 0-2.

UH overcame sweltering Southern California heat and a physical Northridge squad to win its first road match of the season. Sophomore star Natasha Kai, who was pulled earlier in the match due to heat exhaustion, returned late in the second half to score the golden goal and assist on the second to power Hawaii past the Matadors.

With the temperature on the field flirting triple digits, the Matadors took control early and out-shot the Rainbow Wahine, 8-4 in the first half. UH failed to muster much of an attack and things got worse when Kai exited the match 35 minutes in.

UH picked up the pace in the second half and the difference, proved to be Kai who re-entered the game in the 73rd minute. No more than a minute later, UH took the lead as Kai received the ball on the left side of the box, headed it forward, alluded a defender then curved a right-footed shot from a dozen yards out into the upper right corner of the goal. It was her third goal of the season.

With seven minutes left in the match, UH got an insurance goal from Sasha Araya-Schraner. The junior started the match at defender, but finished at midfield and ended up scoring her firstcareer goal. Robyn deHay found a streaking Kai down the right wing who maneuvered her way into the box and slipped a pass to an unabated Araya-Schraner, whose straight-away shot easily found the back of the net. The Rainbow Wahine kept their composure, despite being on the receiving end of numerous fouls. Four yellow cards were assessed during the match, including three on the Matadors.

UH plays the second of its three straight road matches when it travels to Long Beach State to take on the 49ers in another non-conference contest. The match begins at 2 p.m. PST.

-uh-