Box Score

WAIPAHU, O`ahu - The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine soccer team opened the 2007 season by picking up its first-ever win against a nationally ranked opponent and it did in resounding fashion. UH dismantled No. 26 Kansas, 4-0, Friday night at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium in the opening game of OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka `Oi.

UH (1-0) scored an early goal off a defensive miscue by Kansas (0-1), then poured it on with three second-half goals. The Rainbow Wahine were winless in 18 previous meetings (0-7-1) versus ranked squads dating back to 1996, before defeating the Jayhawks, an entry in the preseason Soccer Buzz Top 30 poll.

It was a feel-good win for a UH team that ended last year with five straight losses and a drove of missed opportunities. The Rainbow Wahine put its best foot forward in the 2007 opener, capitalizing four times on just six shots.

Ambree Ako scored UH's first goal less than four minutes into the season when she intercepted a Kansas pass and slotted the ball near post past KU goalkeeper Coleen Quinn. After taking a 1-0 lead into the break, the Rainbow Wahine scored three minutes into the second half, when junior defender Tehane Higa scored her first career goal on a 25-yard low-line rocket. Freshman Chelsea Deptula scored in the 58th minute and fellow freshman Mari Punzal put home a penalty kick in the 68th minute after Ako was taken down in the box.

Kansas ended the game with a 12-6 shot advantage, but just two of its shots were on goal. All 21 players who suited up for UH saw game action.

The OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka `Oi continues Saturday night when Kansas meets Auburn at 7 p.m. The tournament concludes, Monday, Sept. 3, when Hawai`i faces Auburn at 7 p.m.

-UH-