Box Score

BOISE, Idaho -- Hawaii suffered another abrupt ending to its season with a 2-1 loss to Fresno State in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference Soccer Tournament at the Boas Soccer Complex Friday afternoon. The Rainbow Wahine finished the season at 9-9-2 overall with back-to-back losses to the Bulldogs.

Hawaii, the WAC regular-season champion and top seed in this year's tournament, made an early exit from the post-season for the fourth straight year. The Rainbow Wahine have not won a WAC tournament match since advancing to the finals in 2001.

Antonea Lugo scored both Fresno State goals, including the game-winner in the 69th minute. The Bulldogs (8-9-2), who have won the last three meetings between the teams including a 1-0 win in UH's home finale less than a week ago, advance to the tournament finals where they will meet the winner of the San Jose State-Nevada match.

In her last match in a Rainbow Wahine uniform, senior forward Natasha Kai scored Hawaii's lone goal in the second half to tie the match. Kai finished her career with 72 goals in 72 career matches. Senior Mahie Atay, also making her final appearance, started in goal for an ill Kori Lu and recorded eight saves.

The Bulldogs began the match with an assault on UH's goal. Atay faced numerous shots on goal in the first 20 minutes, but weathered the barrage. Fresno State broke through in the 29th minute when Lugo lofted a left-footer from 25 yards that sneaked just inside the high far post.

UH, however, picked up its play and by the end of the half held a 10-8 shot advantage. In the last five minutes of the half, UH had a pair of opportunities, including a rocket by Koren Takeyama that was punched over the goal by Fresno State goalkeeper Angie Larsen and a shot by Krisha Kai that bounced off the crossbar.

Natasha Kai equalized the match in the 58th minute when Adria Campbell slotted a through ball to her in the box. Kai gathered the ball on the run and hit a low liner to the far post past a diving Larsen.

The Bulldogs, however, went back up just 11 minutes when Allison Sill crossed the ball to a crowd in the middle. Lugo trapped the ball, turned and sent a straight-away shot just inside the box for the eventual game-winner.

Match Statistics

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