[ WAHINE SOCCER ]
Rainbow Wahine
open trip with a win
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. >> The Hawaii soccer team managed two goals in the final 16 minutes to open a three-match road trip with a 2-0 victory over Cal State Northridge yesterday on a field where the temperature approached 100 degrees.
It is the fourth road-opening win for the Rainbow Wahine in 10 attempts since the program began in 1994.
Sophomore striker Natasha Kai broke a scoreless tie at 73:52 when she gathered in a loose ball on the left side of the box, headed it past a defender and sent a shot off her right foot into the upper right corner of the goal from 12 yards out.
"We did not play well," said Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "The heat was suffocatingly hot. We were mentally ready to tackle that because it was just hot in practice Thursday. We were the better team and I'm glad we got away with the victory."
The Rainbow Wahine (2-1) got their second goal at 83:17. That score all but eliminated the chance of the match going into overtime, something the Hawaii coaches and players did not want with matches tomorrow and Monday.
Junior midfielder Sasha Araya-Schraner scored the goal, her first in 42 matches for UH. The play began when Robyn deHay passed to a wide-open Kai on the right side. She blazed down the sideline, cut in, beat a defender and slipped a pass to Araya-Schraner, who first-timed the ball into the net with a 10-yard shot.
"There were some heroics from Robyn deHay, and Krisha Kai stands out in my mind," said Tenzing. "(Assistant coach) Bob Barry and I decided Natalie Groenewoud would be the rotating captain for tomorrow's game because of her effort today."
UH goalkeepers Mahie Atay and Erin Chow combined for their second consecutive shutout. Neither was tested with a dangerous shot by the Matadors (0-2).
Hawaii plays Long Beach State (0-3) tomorrow. The 49ers were blanked by San Diego State 2-0 Thursday with former UH backup goalkeeper Stephanie Pearson posting the shutout.
