Box Score
IRVINE, Calif. –The University of Hawai'i women soccer team nearly pulled a shocker before falling to No. 14 UC Irvine, 2-1, Friday night at Anteater Stadium. The Rainbow Wahine led at halftime, but surrendered two second-half goals in a tight loss.
Facing a nationally ranked opponent in its first road match of the year, the Rainbow Wahine more than held their own, jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a
Tiana Fujimoto goal in the 43
rd minute. However, the lead would not last as the Anteaters got goals in the 53
rd and 80
th minute to squeak out the win.
UCI improved to 5-0 on the season, while the Rainbow Wahine continue to look for their first win of the year, dropping to 0-4. UH also remained winless all-time on the road (0-12) against ranked opponents.
Things looked bright for UH as the first half wound down as Fujimoto, a true freshman, stunned the Anteaters after heading in a goal off an
Karli Look assist. It was the first career goal for the Honolulu native and the first goal by a UH striker this season.
UCI evened things less than 10 minutes into the second half when Natalie Ledezman scored off a long pass from Judy Christopher. Ledezman was also in on the game-winner when she sent a cross to Lexi Kopf who put home the decisive goal in the 80th minute.
The Anteaters ended the match with an 18-7 shot advantage. UH junior goalkeeper
Kanani Taaca posted eight saves in the loss.
UH's three-match California road swing continues on Sunday, Sept. 4 when the Rainbow Wahine face UC Irvine at 1:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. HT).
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