WAIPAHU, O`ahu - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine soccer team won its school-record seventh straight home match with a 2-1 decision over Fresno State Sunday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Ambree Ako scored both goals for the Rainbow Wahine who improved to 9-3-2 and 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.
UH remained undefeated at home this year (9-0-1), setting a new mark of 10 consecutive home matches without a loss, while also tying the school-record for most home wins in a season, set in 1998. The Rainbow Wahine also snapped a four-match losing streak to the Bulldogs (6-6, 1-1 WAC) with its first win over Fresno State since 2003.
The Rainbow Wahine pulled off the win after falling into an early hole. The Bulldogs got on the board first in the 11th minute when Chelsea Davis chipped the ball over the UH defense to a streaking Nicole Gutierrez, who finished a low-liner past UH goalkeeper Kori Lu.
Hawai`i got the equalizer in the 25th minute off a penalty kick. Freshman defender Nicole Mikula was taken down in the box and Ako put home the ensuing penalty kick to tie the match.
Ako scored her second goal and the eventual game-winner with less than eight minutes left in the first half. Stationed inside the box, Ako chest-trapped a Lehua Wood throw-in from the right flank, turned toward goal and ripped a shot just inside the far post. The goal was Ako's third of the weekend and team-leading eighth of the year.
That score held as neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second half. UH limited the Bulldogs to just two shots after the break, and stuffed Fresno State's best opportunity, a Stephanie Yoro free kick from just outside the box with 20 minutes remaining. The Rainbow Wahine finished the match with a 12-5 shot advantage.
Hawai`i plays its next three WAC matches on the road. The Rainbow Wahine start the trip with a match versus San Jose State on Sunday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. PDT at Spartan Field.
Box Score
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