Box Score

WAIPAHU, Oahu - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine soccer team moved a step closer to a Western Athletic Conference title with a resounding 5-0 win over Boise State Friday night at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. UH (12-4-2, 5-1 WAC) scored all five of its goals in the second half to trounce the Broncos (8-6-3, 4-1-1) and move into sole possession of first in the WAC.

The Rainbow Wahine can clinch its third-ever conference championship with a win over Idaho on Sunday. A tie would give UH a share of the title at the very least. With the win, UH remained undefeated in 11 home matches (10-0-1), including eight straight home wins.

After a scoreless first half, UH exploded for five goals in the second half, including three in the first nine minutes of the half. Four different Rainbow Wahine scored, while UH also took advantage of an own goal by the Broncos.

Chelsea Deptula got UH's first goal a little more than a minute after the break. Boise State attempted to clear the ball after a UH free kick, but Deptula intercepted the clearance and fired a 15-yarder into the top left corner of the goal. It was the freshman's third goal of the year.

The Rainbow Wahine struck again five minutes later when Jessica Domingo played a ball to Ambree Ako in the middle of the field. Ako then sent a through ball to Taryn Fukuroku who beat the goalie near post for her team-leading 10th goal of the year. Domingo, meanwhile, tied the single-season school record with her 10th assist of the year.

UH's third goal in the first nine minutes of the half came off a Bronco miscue. Feeling the pressure from a UH attack a Boise State defender attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Jennifer Burns, but instead lofted the ball over her and into the empty net.

The scoring barrage continued in the 66th minute when Kelli-Anne Chang ripped a shot from 30 yards out that went over the reach of Burns. UH's final goal came off the foot of Ako, who took a long pass from Koren Takeyama, side stepped the Boise defender and put away her 10th goal of the year.

Ako finished with one goal and one assist. The sophomore has scored or assisted in seven straight matches, including all six WAC contests and leads the conference in goals (5) and points (14) in league play.

Kori Lu and Nicole McClure combined for UH's ninth shutout of the year and fourth in WAC play. The Rainbow Wahine out-shot the Broncos, 15-7, and held Shannon Saxton, the WAC's leading scorer, without a single shot.

The Rainbow Wahine will aim for a WAC title and it's first-ever undefeated season at home when they face Idaho on Sunday at 5 p.m. It will be the final home appearance for five UH seniors, including Domingo, Takeyama, Shawn Higa, Aimee Watanabe and Lehua Wood.

-UH-