WAIPAHU, O'ahu — The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team continued its early-season scoring surge and picked up its first win of 2023 with a 3-1 victory over Sacramento State on Thursday at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex.
 
The Rainbow Wahine took the lead less than five minutes into the match on an own goal into the Hornets' net. UH junior Mia Foster converted a penalty kick late in the first half, Brynn Mitchell posted her first UH goal in the 65^th minute, and the Rainbow Wahine capped their season-opening homestand at 1-1-1.
 
The 'Bows took 22 shots on the night and their nine goals so far this season marks the highest total through three matches in program history. UH scored eight in the first three matches of the 1998, 2007 and '08 seasons.
 
After a 1-1 draw with Utah Valley and a five-goal effort in a loss to Gonzaga in the OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff, the Rainbow Wahine took their first lead of the season in unusual fashion by scoring on an own goal for the first time since Oct. 4, 2018 against Long Beach State.
 
Sacramento State controlled possession early in the match, but the action moved to the other end of the pitch as the first half progressed and the Wahine were awarded a penalty kick when Krista Peterson drew a foul in the box. Foster scored on a penalty kick for the second straight match and gave UH a 2-0 lead in the 42^nd minute with her third goal of the season, matching Amber Gilbert for the team lead.
 
Mitchell, who joined the program as a transfer from Saint Mary's, drilled a shot from the right side in the 65^th minute and her first goal in a UH uniform stretched the lead to 3-0.
 
Sacramento State earned a penalty kick with less than 4 minutes left, but the shot sailed high. Moments later, the Hornets (0-2-1) broke up the shutout in the 88^th minute on a goal by Teysha-Ray Spinney-Kuahuia, a Kealakehe High School graduate from Kailua-Kona.
 
The Rainbow Wahine embark on their first road trip of the season next week and play at Air Force on Aug. 31 and at UNLV on Sept. 3.