FRESNO, Calif. >> Natasha Kai continued to do what she does best for the Hawaii soccer team last night. Kai keeps Wahine
winning on roadStaff and wire services
The freshman striker from Kahuku scored the "golden goal" at 103:36 to boost the Rainbow Wahine to a 1-0 overtime win over host Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium in the final regular-season Western Athletic Conference match.
The goal was Kai's 10th in eight conference matches, a record, and her 16th of the year.
The Wahine (10-7-2, 6-2-0 WAC) finish league play tied for second place with Texas-El Paso, but the Miners get the first-round bye in this week's WAC tournament since they beat UH.
"It was a frantic match, back and forth," said UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "Our kids have difficulty playing well on the mainland because the fields are so crappy. The football team practiced here yesterday and there was a men's match before our match. There were divots everywhere.
"Our midfielders had a difficult time controlling the ball, but when they did, they created a lot of opportunities."
Erin Quattromani finally created one that counted with her ninth assist of the season. On a counter attack, she lofted a high ball over the defense with her left foot. Kai beat two FSU defenders to the ball and guided it on the ground past Bulldog goalkeeper Mary-tyler Wahl just inside the left post.
It was Kai's fifth game-winning goal of the season, breaking the record shared by Arlene Devitt, Veronica Flores and Tricia Nishikawa.
The Wahine have a five-match winning streak heading into the WAC tournament and have posted three consecutive shutouts. They will play host Rice in the first round of the tournament Thursday.
Fresno State's five-match win streak ended, but the Bulldogs (7-12-0, 5-3-0 WAC) also journey to Houston and take on Tulsa in a first-round match.
Erin Sayegusa (Kaiser) led the Fresno State offense with five shots and produced the Bulldogs' best scoring chance in the first half but her attempt hit the crossbar.
The Bulldogs had a slight edge in shots taken, 10-9, and corner kicks, 7-3, but UH defenders Jessica Uecker, Noelle Takemoto and Krystalynn Ontai were up to the challenge in front of goalkeeper Mahie Atay.
Atay made three saves in recording her second solo shutout. She shares three others with Jennifer Churchill.
"Mahie played well, came out at the right time and I think she had to smother one attempt. She oozes confidence," said Tenzing.
"It's been a long and winding road this year. Tonight, the kids are happy."
UH Athletics
