Kai kicks in another
game-winner for
Rainbow Wahine
The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine dominated New Mexico, but settled for a 1-0 victory yesterday in the Montana Fall Classic at Missoula, Mont.
Natasha Kai scored the Hawaii goal at 44:16. It was the junior striker's team-leading sixth goal and fifth game-winning goal of the season.
The scoring opportunity started with a corner kick that was cleared by the Lobos (3-5-0). However, UH midfielder Jessica Domingo sent the ball back inside the 18-yard line, where it was misplayed by UNM defenders, leaving an open net from 5 yards out.
The victory came on a heavy, soggy field with long grass, according to UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing. It increased Hawaii's (6-2-1) regular-season, consecutive-match winning streak to seven, dating back to last year.
Tenzing did not like how the Wahine responded when UNM's Samantha Sullivan was ejected at 62:59.
"I was unhappy with the way we played once New Mexico had 10 players on the field. We were still protecting the lead and I thought we should have pushed the ball around more and been more offensive," said Tenzing.
"We did not use the entire field. New Mexico crowded us a lot, didn't give us a lot of time to play. That gave us trouble and the way to beat that is to use the whole field."
The Hawaii defense recorded its second shutout of the season. It was the first this year and eighth career shutout for goalkeeper Mahie Atay, who had to make just one save.
The Lobos lost their fourth consecutive match and were outshot by the Wahine 14-6. UH put five shots on goal.
In the other match, Gonzaga (7-2) rallied for two goals within 6 minutes early in the second half to edge host Montana (3-5-1) 2-1.
The Wahine and Zags (7-2), who are off to their best start in history, play tomorrow at 8 a.m. Hawaii time. There is no official Classic championship, so the winner, if there is one, will leave Missoula undefeated.
