CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii's Elizabeth Brauher, left, Robert Morris' Rachel Derbis and Hawaii's Koren Takeyama charged at the ball while trying to avoid the fallen Krystal Parenteau of Robert Morris during yesterday's match.

Higa, Kai hook up
twice in UH victory

Shawn Higa and Natasha Kai made the right connection on two goals to pilot the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine to a 2-0 victory over the Robert Morris Colonials in the championship match of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Shootout.

All-Tournament Team MVP: Natasha Kai, Hawaii. Strikers: Meredith Buemi and Kristen Harnest, Butler. Midfielders: Gabina Bohlman and Jessica Domingo, Hawaii; Kate Lord, Butler; Christina Pilato, Robert Morris. Defenders: Jenna Gilbert and Angela Story, Robert Morris; Shawn Higa and Koren Takeyama, Hawaii.; Goalkeeper: Kori Lu, Hawaii.

The title was on the line after Robert Morris tied Butler 1-1 in double overtime Saturday night at the Waipio Peninsula Park Stadium. UH and Butler tied 1-1 Friday night.

Many of the 828 fans hadn't arrived when the Wahine (3-4-2) first lit up the scoreboard, wasting no time finding the net, scoring a minute, 37 seconds into the match.

Higa, a sophomore defender, intercepted a pass near midfield, side-stepped a Colonial, and pushed the ball through the Robert Morris back line. Kai had a step on the defense, controlled the pass, moved to the right and rolled the ball into the left side of the goal past RMU goalkeeper Elizabeth Moss.

"I saw Tasha make that arc run and there was a big split in the defense. I saw Tasha turn and I just wanted the ball to get through," said Higa.

The Wahine had a second opportunity at 11:40 when Jessica Domingo sent Taryn Fukuroku away with a through ball on the right side. Fukuroku, running shoulder to shoulder with a defender, got a shot off, but Moss deflected the ball with her left foot.

The match settled into a midfield contest with both teams creating opportunities but rarely getting off clean shots.

At 37:18, Higa had a free kick 35 yards out from the right side. Just before she approached the ball, Kai, standing in the line of defenders on the far left, patted her head several times with her right hand.

Higa's kick sailed over the defensive wall. Kai, cutting in toward the goal, lunged and headed the ball past Moss for a 2-0 UH lead.

"There was a huge drop zone behind the defense. I always look for Tasha on those free kicks," said Higa, who does not remember ever having two assists in a match before.

"There is nothing like it. It was such a rush, so awesome."

The Wahine had practiced set plays for a long time in their Thursday workout, and Kai is a favorite target because of her jumping and heading ability.

"I saw the ball being a little too far in front of me. I wasn't going to be able to get it with my foot," said Kai. "I had to dive to get my head on it."

Higa had another free kick from midfield at 76:08 that Kai headed toward the goal, but RMU's second goalkeeper, Jessica Onufer, made the save.

The shot was Kai's 369th of her career, a Western Athletic Conference record.

"We played nervous tonight. I don't know why," said UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "We had early success with the long ball and got away from what we wanted to do. I reminded them at the half that passing is the lifeblood of the game, but we missed too many passes today."

It was Hawaii's first tournament crown in four tries this year.

The Rainbow Wahine leave tomorrow for their second mainland trip. They play at Cal State Fullerton on Thursday and at San Diego State on Saturday.