IRVINE, Calif. – Coming off of a conference regular season title a season ago, the Hawai'i women's soccer team was picked first by the league's coaches in the Big West Preseason Poll announced Thursday.
Additionally, midfielder
Nalani Damacion and forward
Amber Gilbert earned spots on the Big West preseason all-conference team. It's the first time since 2008 that the Rainbow Wahine have been selected first in a conference preseason poll following the program's first-ever Big West regular season title in 2024.
The Rainbow Wahine's incredible regular season run in 2024 included a number of program milestones. UH set a school record for conference wins, going 8-1-1 in league play while finishing with the most points by a Big West team since 2016. The 'Bows set a program record with a nine-match unbeaten streak that ran from Sept. 12-Oct. 20 that also included a school single-season record seven-match winning streak.
Hawai'i returns 20 players from last year's team, including eight who started at least 15 matches. Damacion returns for her sophomore season after earning Big West Midfielder of the Year honors and leading all freshmen nationally with seven game-winning goals.
Kennedy Justin claimed conference goalkeeper of the year honors last year and set a program record for goalkeeper wins, going 11-8-1.
Other all-conference honorees returning include
Alice Davidson (second-team, all-freshman),
Cate Sheahan (honorable mention) and Gilbert (honorable mention). Head coach
Michele Nagamine enters her 14th season leading the Hawai'i soccer program after being named Big West Coach of the Year for the second time in her career in 2024.
Nalani Damacion, Preseason All-Big West
- 2024 Big West Midfielder of the Year; First-Team All-Big West; Big West All-Freshman.
- United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-West Region.
- Five-time Big West Freshman of the Week.
- Led the team with seven goals – all game-winners.
- Tied for third nationally in game-winning goals while scoring the most game-winners by a freshman nationally since 2015.
Amber Gilbert, Preseason All-Big West
- 2024 honorable mention All-Big West; 2023 First-Team All-Big West.
- First on the team with 12 career goals.
- Has appeared in 52 consecutive matches over the last three seasons.
- A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection.
- Named to the Big West All-Freshman Team in 2022.
Preseason Big West Poll
1. Hawai'i – 88 (6)
2. UC Santa Barbara – 84 (3)
3. UC Irvine – 81 (1)
4. Long Beach State – 74 (1)
5. Cal State Fullerton – 73
6. Cal Poly – 53
7. UC San Diego – 42
8. UC Davis – 37
9. Cal State Bakersfield – 27
9. CSUN – 27
11. UC Riverside – 19
