LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Hawai'i women's soccer team began its Big West regular season title defense with a 0-0 draw at Long Beach State Thursday, picking up a point in the conference standings.
The tie extended UH's unbeaten streak in conference openers to four dating back to 2022, while the shutout was the team's third of the season. It also snapped a streak of three straight losses in Long Beach dating back to 2021, including a 2-1 loss in the season opener this year.
The Rainbow Wahine moved to 2-4-4 on the year, already matching the program record for most ties in a single season.
Brianna Chirpich made her third consecutive start in goal and played all 90 minutes for the second straight match, earning first career solo shutout while matching a career-high with six saves. Hawai'i was out-shot 10-4 and had no shots on goal, but kept The Beach off the board with physical play throughout the match, finishing the match with 12 fouls.
The two teams were locked in a defensive battle at the break, with the 'Bows managing just two shots while holding The Beach to three. Chirpich made a save on all three LBSU shot attempts, including one in the 34th minute on which she left her line and made a sliding save on a breakaway attempt.
The Rainbow Wahine had a good chance to strike coming out of halftime when
Amber Gilbert chased down a long pass in the 49th minute. However, the senior flicked it just wide of an open goal with two defenders on her and the keeper coming out to contest.
Defensively, UH bent but didn't break allowing seven shots in the second half – four of those coming on frame. The 'Bows also fended off nine corner kicks throughout the match with five of those coming after halftime.
The Rainbow Wahine close out their road trip with a nonconference match at San Diego State on Sunday at 9 a.m. HT (Mountain West Network).
