Box Score |
Box Score (html)
WAIPAHU, O'ahu – The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team gave one of its grittiest efforts of the season to pull out a 2-1 win over Pacific in the team's home finale Sunday night at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
All three goals were scored in the second half during a highly physical and contentious match. UH had the final say as
Chelsea Miyake converted on a penalty kick in the 70
th minute to help Hawai'i send its five departing seniors –
Rachel Domingo,
Amber Fuller,
Michelle Nakasone,
Kanani Taaca and
Christy Watanabe – out on a winning note at home.
The Rainbow Wahine were officially eliminated from post-season contention with the other Big West results earlier in the day, however the team gave its all in improving to 8-8-2 overall and 3-4 in the Big West. The win was UH's first over Pacific (3-12-1, 0-6-1 BWC) in the last eight meetings between the teams.
It didn't look good early for the Bows as Pacific controlled the tempo for the first half and out-shot UH, 9-2. The Rainbow Wahine did have a prime opportunity to score, however, when
Krystal Pascua's free kick just outside the 18-yard box bounced off the right post near the end of the half.
The Rainbow Wahine regrouped at halftime and scored the game's first goal in the 55
th minute when
Tiana Fujimoto put home a point blank shot after a cross by
Krystal Pascua and volley by Watanabe.
Pacific equalized things seven minutes later off a set piece when Brittni Beeman scored off a free kick from Laura Hernandez.
Eight minutes later, the Rainbow Wahine were awarded a penalty kick when sophomore midfielder
Ashley Haruki was taken down in the box. Miyake easily put away the ensuing kick—her third such attempt and conversion this year —and UH held on for the final 20 minutes to nab the win.
Hawai'i finished up its home season with a 7-1-2 record and have now won 14 of its last 15 matches at Waipi'o dating back to last year.
The Rainbow Wahine will now end the regular-season and its inaugural campaign in the Big West on the road where they will face Long Beach State (Oct. 26) and UC Irvine (Oct. 28).
-UH-