Rainbow Wahine extend
streak with shutout
The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine won their fourth consecutive match yesterday -- a 3-0 victory over Gonzaga in the Montana Fall Soccer Classic at Missoula, Mont.
The win is the eighth consecutive regular-season road victory for UH (7-2-1) over the past two seasons. The loss ended a four-match winning streak for the Zags (7-3)
"We were a little disjointed to start, but there was a little break after our first goal when I could talk to the players, and they played very well after that," Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing said.
The first goal was scored by Krisha Kai, her first of the year and third of her career. It came at 34:13 with assists from Natasha Kai and Koren Takeyama.
Natasha Kai headed a ball to Takeyama at the 18-yard line. Takeyama tried to make a move surrounded by Gonzaga defenders and the ball bounced to Krisha Kai, who booted a left-footer that bounced off the left post and rolled across the goal line for what proved to be the game-winner.
"It was a huge victory for us because we beat a terrific team," said Tenzing, who had to juggle his starting line up when junior midfielder Seline Williams wasn't feeling well after breakfast.
"I started Gabrielle Bohlman at center, along with Jessica Domingo and they did a wonderful job," said Tenzing.
Senior outside left midfielder Joelle Sugai assisted on both second-half goals.
The first came at 66:28. Sugai sent a cross into the box and Natasha Kai scored on a spectacular diving head shot for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Seven minutes later, Robyn deHay fed a ball out to Sugai, who raced down the left sideline and crossed into the middle to a waiting Takeyama. The redshirt freshman punched the ball into the net at 73:56 for her second goal this year.
"Joelle possibly had her best game so far," said Tenzing. "She provided service after service, especially in the second half, and just ate up the defender on that side.
"Having said that, (senior center defender) Jessica Uecker was the best player on the field today. She was responsible for defending a crafty kid (Annie Hawkins, a U.S. Adult Soccer Association National Select team member). Jessica kept her in her pocket all game long. And Liz Lusk did a good job on their fast left striker," said Tenzing.
"We had a very organized effort today."
The Wahine traveled to Provo, Utah, last night to play the Brigham Young Cougars today at 1 p.m. Hawaii time to conclude the road trip.
The Cougars (3-6-1) have lost three consecutive matches, including the last two at home to Arizona 1-0 and to Washington State 2-1 on Saturday, despite having a 13-3 shot advantage.
UH is 0-3-1 vs. BYU and has not scored in games at Provo.
"All I can say is so far, so good. From all reports, BYU has a terrific team," said Tenzing.
