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WAIPAHU, Oahu – The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine soccer team notched its first win of the season with a 3-2 decision over Northern Illinois in the OHANA Hotels and Resorts No Ka Oi Thursday night at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

UH (1-2) spotted the Huskies (0-3) a goal in the first half but then answered with three unanswered goals to secure the win. The Rainbow Wahine got goals from Kama Pascua, Dani Crawford and Storm Kenui to take a commanding lead, but needed to hold on in the final minutes after the Huskies scored a late goal.

After UH controlled much of the first 30 minutes, NIU got on the board first at the 30:32 mark when Alex Elias headed in a corner kick from Gwen Sabo. UH, however, quickly answered from the lethal foot of Pascua. Pascua gathered the ball at the top of the box, turned and beat an NIU defender to launch a left footer that bounced off the inside of the post and into the goal. It was the first goal of the year for the sophomore forward.

UH then took the lead just before the half ended.  NIU failed to clear a corner kick and freshman Crawford took advantage with a header from close range for her first career goal.

The Rainbow Wahine tacked on another goal less than two minutes into the second half when Sonest Furtado found Kenui streaking down the middle of the field as the sophomore hammered home a high shot to give UH a 3-1 lead.

UH continued to be aggressive offensively but lost some momentum when Lidia Battaglia was ejected with a red card. NIU's Gwen Sabo found her way off the field just seven minutes later as both team's played the final 16-plus minutes with 10 players each.  The Huskies got a goal from Nicole Gobbo in the 82nd minute when UH failed to clear the ball in a crowded box. But it was too-little, too-late for the Huskies as UH held on for the win.

Seattle and Northern Illinois will meet up on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7:00 p.m., before  the Rainbow Wahine and Seattle conclude the round-robin tournament on Monday, Sept. 1 at 5:00 p.m.