LAS VEGAS – Freshman defender
Pana'ewa Cayetano earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday. Cayetano's selection marks the second weekly freshman accolade for the Rainbow Wahine in their inaugural Mountain West season, following teammate
Olivia Dianda's honor on Aug. 24.
Cayetano earned the weekly honor after anchoring a stellar defensive performance on the backline. Playing center back, the true freshman logged 161 total minutes across two matches over the weekend. She served as the center piece for a Hawai'i defense that allowed just one shot on goal and 12 total shot attempts combined in matches against New Mexico State and Washington State.
The O'ahu native was a dominant force on Thursday night, playing all 90 minutes to help secure a 3-0 shutout victory over New Mexico State. Cayetano and the Hawai'i backline neutralized the Aggies' attack, holding them to zero shots on target and only five total shot attempts the entire evening.
She followed up that performance on Sunday by getting 71 minutes of action in a physical 0-0 draw against Washington State. Cayetano's high-pressure defending helped limit a dangerous Cougars offense to just seven total shots and a single shot on target.
Cayetano's defensive brilliance has been a cornerstone of the Rainbow Wahine's recent run of clean sheets. She has been on the field for 307 total minutes across Hawai'i's active four-match shutout streak, averaging 76.8 minutes per game. Backed by her solid play, UH has kept opponents off the scoreboard for nine consecutive halves and has gone over 400 straight minutes without allowing a goal.
Cayetano and the Rainbow Wahine (3-3-1) will enjoy a brief break to prepare for league play. Hawai'i officially opens its inaugural Mountain West schedule on Thursday, Sept. 24, on the road against Colorado College.
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