UH looking for offense

The Wahine seem to be doing everything except scoring goals

The Hawaii soccer team's window of opportunity to achieve two goals is still open, but will close soon if victories continue to elude the Rainbow Wahine.

San Jose State at Hawaii When: Tomorrow, 5 p.m. Where: Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Stadium TV: Live on KFVE (Ch. 5) Radio: None Admission/Parking: Free Series record: UH leads, 6-4-1 Last meeting: The Wahine won 2-0 on Oct. 21, 2005 at San Jose. Notes: UH is 6-3-1 in its final home conference match.

"We have put ourselves in contention not only for a first-round bye (in the Western Athletic Conference tournament), but for first place," said Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing.

"Anything is possible, but it depends on how we do in the next three games."

The first priority for the Wahine (8-7-2 overall, 2-2 WAC) is the San Jose State Spartans (6-8-2, 3-0-1), a team that is alone in first place in the league standings and has yet to allow a goal in conference action.

San Jose State junior midfielder Nicole Irwin and sophomore striker Jessica Scott have been cited the past two weeks as the WAC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman goalkeeper Marissa Dayton comes to town as the WAC Defensive Player of the Week.

"The Spartans are extremely well coached and very disciplined," said Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing.

"I think this match will be a clash of discipline. The only thing that is amiss for us is our inability to finish our (scoring) chances. Otherwise we have played well, although the results don't show it.

"We've only lost one half all year and that was the second half at San Diego. I am proud of this team because they never give up."

The Wahine's starting lineup will have a slightly different look tomorrow due to injuries.

Julia Siljestrom will replace Lehua Wood at a defender position, joining Tehane Higa, Koren Takeyama and Shawn Higa on the back line.

Wood injured her right leg in last Sunday's match against Idaho State. Her first MRI was not clear and she will have a second MRI tomorrow.

Center back Kelly McCloskey, who suffered a right leg injury at San Diego, is still out.

The Wahine also may miss freshman striker Ambree Ako, recovering from a sprained right ankle suffered against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 13.

Ako said she wants to play but had not been cleared to participate by the UH medical staff as of Thursday's practice.

Emily Chun, a freshman from Wilson High School in Portland, Ore., would start up top if Ako can't go.

The numbers in the last three matches are a good indication of the frustration experienced by the Wahine offense.

Hawaii has outshot those three opponents 45-17, has a 24-9 advantage in shots on goal, but managed just one victory. Adding to the frustration is that five of those nine opponents shots on goal hit the net.