HONOLULU – With just one loss in their last 12 home contests, the Hawai'i women's soccer team has been stellar at home over the last two seasons. The Rainbow Wahine will look to continue that momentum with its last two non-conference home contests of 2017, hosting Pacific (Aug. 24) and Seattle U (Aug. 28) in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Soccer Classic at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Both games begin at 7 p.m., and Thursday's game will be televised live on Spectrum Sports.
Hawai'i, 9-1-2 at home since 2016, is coming off back-to-back overtime wins over Utah Valley and Fairfield to claim the 'Ohana Hotels by Outrigger Shootout championship last week. Junior
Raisa Strom-Okimoto earned tournament MVP honors after scoring two goals, including the 100th-minute game-winner against Fairfield.
While Strom-Okimoto was responsible for half of Hawai'i's four goals, plenty of UH players contributed to the strong offensive output.
Sarah Lau had her own dramatic game-winner, knocking in a cross with her back heel in the 99th minute to beat Utah Valley.
Sonest Furtado joined the scoring action with the equalizer against Fairfield, and
Mikaelah Johnson-Griggs,
Lillie French,
Kiri Dale and
Izzy Deutsch each recorded an assist for Hawai'i.
Alexis Mata is off to a strong start in goal for UH. She has tallied 10 saves – tied for best in the Big West – with a .833 save percentage and a 0.91 goals-against average. Mata yielded just one goal in the run of play, in addition to the penalty kick score by Utah Valley.
Pacific enters the week with a 0-1-1 record after falling 3-0 against Fresno State in the season opener and playing CSUN to a 1-1 draw. Hannah Terry scored Pacific's only goal of the season, an unassisted strike against CSUN. The Tigers have used two goalkeepers, with Henriikka Maekela logging 135 minutes and giving up four goals, and Regan Heslop turning 65 shutout minutes with three saves.
Seattle U is 0-2 on the season after a 2-0 loss to Cal State Fullerton and a 2-1 loss to Oregon State to open 2017. Jessie Ray scored the Redhawks' lone goal, with assists from Isabelle Butterfield and Holly Rothering. Mackenzie Curry patrols the net for Seattle U, and she has given up four goals in 180 minutes of play, while making three saves.
Seattle U and Pacific will square of on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. After the tournament, the Rainbow Wahine have road games at Idaho (Sept. 1), Gonzaga (Sept. 3), Idaho State (Sept. 5), Arizona State (Sept. 15), Grand Canyon (Sept. 17), Long Beach State (Oct. 1) and UC Irvine (Oct. 8) before returning home.
Games 3 & 4
Who: Hawai'i (2-0) vs. Pacific (0-1-1), Seattle U (0-2)
When: Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017 (7:00 p.m.); Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 (7:00 p.m.)
Where: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium – Waipahu, O'ahu
TV: Spectrum Sports - UH vs. Pacific; None – UH vs. Seattle U
Streaming: HawaiiAthletics.com – UH vs. Pacific; None – UH vs. Seattle U
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Promotions: Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is the tournament sponsor and will distribute 250 Ozone bags and 150 Ju Mui Pops prior to each match. Visit the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts tent near the main entrance to register to win a one night stay at an Outrigger Hotels and Resort beachfront property valued at $575. Keiki (eighth grade and under) can sign up to participate in the on-field promotion at halftime for the chance to win an Outrigger Hotels and Resorts prize pack. T-shirts or towels will be tossed into the crowd after every UH goal.
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