Box Score

WAIPAHU, O`ahu - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine soccer team made an emphatic statement in its Western Athletic Conference opener, blanking Nevada, 3-0, Friday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. The Rainbow Wahine (8-3-2, 1-0 WAC) remained undefeated at home this year (8-0-1) and tied school records for consecutive home wins (6) and consecutive home matches without a loss (9).

Taryn Fukuroku netted two goals and Ambree Ako also scored to lead UH in an impressive win over the preseason WAC favorite. At the same time, UH also avenged a pair of embarrassing losses to the Wolf Pack last year, including a season-ending 3-0 loss in the WAC Tournament.

UH jumped on the Wolf Pack, scoring two goals in the first 15:23 of the match and dominated throughout, ending the match with an 18-7 shot advantage. Hawai`i got on the board first at the 13:42 mark when Nevada failed to clear the ball and Ako put home a shot just outside the six-yard box.

UH scored its second goal off a corner kick less than two minutes later. Nicole Mikula served a ball from the left corner, which Nevada goalkeeper Marie Cove attempted to punch out. But Fukuroku connected on the rebound, volleying the ball in the back of the net.

Fukuroku scored her second goal of the night in the 84th minute. Kristen Oshiro started the play by finding Ako in the middle of the box. Ako then slipped a through ball to Fukuroku who finished from close range for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

The Rainbow Wahine allowed just one shot nearly the entire second half, until a desperate Wolf Pack squad fired a pair of shots in the waning minutes. Kori Lu picked up the solo shutout, the 11th of her career and the most by a UH goalkeeper.

UH continues the opening weekend of WAC play when it hosts Fresno State on Sunday. Kickoff is 5:00 p.m. at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

-UH-