Box Score

WAIPAHU, O'ahu – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine soccer team gave its best shot at giving Michele Nagamine an upset win in her UH head coaching debut, before eventually succumbing to Washington State, 3-1, Friday night at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. UH scored early in the game, however, couldn't overcome a second-half hat trick by the Cougars' Eileen Maes.

Playing before the second largest crowd in program history (2,850) an inspired Rainbow Wahine squad got off to a perfect start, scoring just 6:25 in the match. Brittani Lum put home a header off a Rachel Domingo free kick from about  35 yards out to put UH up early and send the Waipi'o crowd into a frenzy.

The 'Bows s held that lead into halftime, with each team registering just three shots going into the break. That all changed in the second half when Maes went on a scoring spree. The sophomore midfielder tied the match just five minutes into the second half, put the Cougars up in the 65 minute and tacked on an insurance goal in the 72^nd minute.

WSU”s first goal came after UH failed to clear the ball and Maes finished a shot from close range. The Cougars took their first lead of the game in the 65^th minute when they were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box. Maes took full advantage, sending a laser by a wall of UH defenders and into the back of the night. Maes completed her hat trick less than 10 minutes later when she took a cross from Jaquelyn Roth and hammered home a shot near post.

The Cougars ended the match with an 11-7 shot advantage. Despite, the loss, UH played with renewed vigor and purpose under their first-year head coach.

The Rainbow Wahine will next host the 'OHANA Hotels No Ka Oi, August 26-28. North Dakota State and California will open the tournament on Aug. 26, while UH takes on NDSU at 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 27 and Cal at 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 28.