HONOLULU – The Hawai'i women's soccer team got its 2017 season started in exhilarating style, clinching a 2-1 come-from-behind, overtime win over Utah Valley to open the 'Ohana Hotels by Outrigger Shootout on Friday.
The Wolverines struck first when Breanna DeWaal converted a penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead in the 21
st minute. UH, however, battled back to tie the game before halftime.
Lillie French ignited a break away by springing
Izzy Deutsch up the flank. Deutsch served a picture-perfect cross into the box, and found a diving
Raisa Strom-Okimoto, who was able to head it past UVU goalkeeper Brooklyn Nielsen to even the score in the 35
th minute.
The score remained tied throughout the second half, but there was no lack of action. The teams combined for 31 shots, including 14 for UH, and 28 fouls, including 17 against the 'Bows in the game. Utah Valley held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
The Rainbow Wahine finally broke through for the game-clinching score just moments before the end of overtime. In the 99
th minute,
Kiri Dale found
Sarah Lau in the box, and Lau ended the game with a shot inside the left post.
In her first career start,
Alexis Mata made five saves and yielded only the penalty kick score.
Hawai'i improves to 1-0 on the season, earning its first season-opening victory since 2007. Utah Valley drops to 0-1 in coach Chris Lemay's head coaching debut. The Rainbow Wahine will play for the 'Ohana Hotels by Outrigger Shootout championship against Fairfield on Sunday at 5:00 PM. The Stags earned a 2-1, double-overtime victory over Houston Baptist earlier on Friday.
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