SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team closed the 2023 season with a 2-1 loss to Cal Poly in the opening round of the Big West Championships on Sunday at Mustang Memorial Field in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
 
Cal Poly, the third seed in the bracket, took the lead 41 seconds into the match and added another goal in the 39^th minute to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. Sixth-seeded UH closed the gap in the 67^th minute when junior midfielder Mia Foster scored on a header off a free kick from junior defender Jacey Jicha. Cal Poly managed to fend off UH threats late in the match to advance to the conference tournament's semifinal round.
 
The Rainbow Wahine ended the season at 5-8-1 after qualifying for the Big West Championship for the second time since joining the conference in 2012 and making their first appearance in the bracket since 2019.

"I'm really proud of the team, our only goal this season was to get to the Big West Conference tournament and we achieved that and we're happy to be back," UH coach Michele Nagamine said in the postgame press conference.

"It's been a long, very emotional journey for everyone, and for this group of seniors who've just really done a great job of holding our team together, helping us change the culture, it's just been fantastic that we could get them back here."
 
The final week of the season included two 2-1 losses to Cal Poly (9-7-3) on consecutive Sundays. Cal Poly rallied for two goals late in UH's home finale on Oct. 22 at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium, then held on to win by the same score in the postseason rematch.
 
Cal Poly went on the attack from the opening kickoff and quickly earned a corner kick on its first possession. The Mustangs played it short and found Emily Lieber open in front of the goal and the sophomore pushed Cal Poly ahead 41 seconds into the match.
 
Cal Poly took 11 shots to UH's two in the first half and added to the lead in the 39^th minute when Sophia Minnite sent a cross to Peja Balanon, who found the net to send the Mustangs into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
 
UH increased the pressure coming out of the break and got on the board when Jicha lofted her free kick to the front of the goal and Foster headed the ball into the net for her sixth goal of the season. Jicha, who was named to the All-Big West second team on Saturday, was credited with her first career assist.
 
UH goalkeeper Sophie Augustin kept UH in contention with five saves, and the 'Bows earned four corner kicks in the second half and took seven shots to Cal Poly's three. UH played the final nine minutes down a player and Cal Poly protected the lead and will face second-seeded UC Davis on Thursday in Fullerton, Calif.
 
UH took nine shots total, putting six on goal. Junior forward Krista Peterson led the 'Bows with three shots. Cal Poly took 14 shots, seven on goal, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Samuel finished with three saves.

"This season was a big turning point for the program and for this team just because we've come together and we play as a team," Foster said. "I think this will make us stronger for the years to come."