Box Score

WAIPAHU - Hawai`i won its 2004 Western Athletic Conference opener with a thrilling 1-0 win over Rice Friday night at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Krisha Kai scored the golden goal in the 58th minute, her second game-winner in the last three matches.

UH improved to 8-2-2 and remain undefeated in the last six matches. The Rainbow Wahine handed Rice (7-2-1)its first loss in the last eight match, while in the meantime posting their fourth straight shutout.

Rice came into the match as one of the stingiest teams in the nation, allowing just three goals all season. But the Rainbow Wahine put the Owls on their heels from the get-go, and ended up with a 17-7 shot advantage. After out-shooting Rice 8-3 in the first half, UH finally broke through in the second half when the Kai sisters hooked up for the second time this year. Krystalynn Ontai started the play with a cross to Natasha Kai, who then slid a square pass to her sister Krisha near the top of the box. Krisha then fired a low ball into the far right post that eluded the reach of all-WAC goalkeeper Lauren Shockley at the 57:56 mark.

Despite being out-played for much of the match Rice did have opportunities in both halves to take the lead. The first came 28 minutes into the match when Samantha Conn had an open shot in the box that was saved by a diving Erin Chow. The Owls also had an open-net opportunity in the 51st minute but Clory Martin's shot went wide left.

Erin Chow earned her third start of the season and preserved the shutout for the Rainbow Wahine with two saves. The win was UH's third straight at home and sixth straight in the WAC regular season dating back to last season.

The Rainbow Wahine next host Tulsa in a WAC matchup on Sunday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

match statistics

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