HILLSBORO, Ore. – Behind a pair of early goals that came just seconds apart in the first half, the Hawai'i women's soccer team closed out nonconference play with a 2-1 win at Portland State Thursday.
Redshirt freshman
Amber Gilbert and sophomore
Krista Peterson came through with the goals for the Rainbow Wahine (3-2), with Gilbert scoring for the second time this year and Peterson a team-leading third. Goalkeeper
Sophie Augustin turned in a career day in the net, recording a career-high eight saves with the only Portland State goal coming on a penalty kick.
The two teams went back-and-forth during the early stages of the match, but the Rainbow Wahine broke through with two goals just 24 seconds apart to go up 2-0.
Kelci Sumida took possession of the ball near midfield and found Peterson down the right side, who then delivered a cross to the back post where Gilbert put it away to give UH the lead at the 14:06 mark.
Just moments later, Gilbert ran down another long pass up the left side and attempted a shot that was saved by the PSU goalie before Peterson cleaned things up to put the 'Bows up 2-0.
The Vikings (1-4-2) cut the UH lead in half in the early stages of the second half, earning a penalty kick in the 51st minute that Abi Hoffman converted to make it 2-1.
The Rainbow Wahine fought off several more Portland State chances during the closing stages of the match to hang on for the win.
Sophie Augustin recorded one of her career-high 10 saves by punching a free kick attempt from just outside the box over the crossbar in the 82nd minute to keep UH on top. A few minutes later,
Eliza Ammendolia cleared a dangerous chance off a corner kick near the goal line in the 85th minute to preserve the win.
Hawai'i earned its third victory of the young season to surpass its win total from a year ago, while the three wins are the most the 'Bows will head into conference play with since 2018.
Both Gilbert and Peterson finished the match with a goal and an assist, becoming the first two UH players to accomplish that since Sumida on Oct. 31, 2019 at UC Davis. Augustin's eight saves are also the most by a Hawai'i goalkeeper since Alexis Mata recorded 10 on Oct. 10, 2019 against UC Irvine.
The Rainbow Wahine return home to open Big West play on Sept. 15 against UC Davis at 7 p.m. at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
