HONOLULU – The Hawai'i soccer team will be taking a nine-day international tour of Italy from May 22-30, making stops in Milan and Turin.
 
"International tours are always fun, but the opportunity to travel with this incredible group of women who work so hard and get along so well is truly special," said head coach Michele Nagamine. "We'd like to say "grazie" to our administration and boosters who have made this trip possible for us."
 
The Rainbow Wahine will use the trip as a team bonding experience while also playing a pair of exhibition matches against local club teams in the Milan and Turin areas. The 'Bows will take on junior teams in the Juventus and Pro Sesto football clubs, taking on Juventus on May 26 in Turin and Pro Sesto on May 29 in Milan.
 
Off the field, the team will take walking tours of Turin and Milan in addition to having free time to explore both cities. The 'Bows are also scheduled to attend a Serie A match between Inter Milan and Atalanta on May 28 while also taking a stadium tour of Juventus' home stadium earlier in the trip.
 
Hawai'i will return 19 players from last year's team in 2023, highlighted by four all-conference selections and nine starters. Big West All-Freshman honoree Amber Gilbert and league honorable mention selection Krista Peterson return while Kelci Sumida is back for her fifth year to lead the Rainbow Wahine front line attack. First-team All-Big West selection Eliza Ammendolia will also be back for her fifth season while second-team all-league honoree Jacey Jicha will anchor the back line.
 
The Rainbow Wahine will open the 2023 season in mid-August. The complete schedule for the upcoming season will be released in the coming weeks.