Soccer Rainbows beat Wyoming, 5-2
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team discovered winning is just not enough sometimes.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
The Rainbow Wahine defeated Wyoming, 5-2, yesterday in the OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium, but due to a tiebreaker finished second to Alabama-Birmingham.
The University of Hawai'i's Carmen Calpo attempts a sliding shot against Wyoming goalie Lori Scheider in the first half. Hawai'i defeated the Cowgirls, 5-2, for its first victory of the season.
"Winning the tournament would have been good, but as long as we're growing in our skills, that's fine with us," said Hawai'i forward Natasha Kai, who was named to the all-tournament team.
Hawai'i and UAB finished the three-team tournament at 1-0-1 followed by Wyoming at 0-2.
Hawai'i's Kai and Arlene Devitt each scored two goals and Erin Quattromani scored on a penalty kick. Wyoming's Angela O'Dell and Mercy Adetoye each scored once.
Hawai'i needed three goals and a shutout of Wyoming to win a share of the championship. But O'Dell spoiled Hawai'i's title hopes when she corralled a loose ball near the top of the penalty box and lofted it over several players into the net at 42:48.
"I kind of lost sight of the ball," said UH goalie Mahie Atay. "She chipped it over and I couldn't get it."
Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said he didn't tell the team about the tiebreaker before the game because he wanted the players to focus and play good soccer.
"We just wanted to win," Tenzing said. "Obviously, it's our tournament and we would have liked to win it, but that one goal disqualified us."
Regardless, Tenzing said he was pleased with the performance of his team, which earned its first win against a relentless Wyoming team. He was particularly impressed with the speedy play of forwards Devitt, Kai and Carmen Calpo whom he called the "front runners."
"All three of them occupy a lot of territory," Tenzing said. "They keep a lot of defenders occupied."
By scoring twice, Devitt became Hawai'i's career points leader with 50, passing Veronica Flores and Jennifer Starsiak who had 47. In soccer, players are awarded two points for a goal and one point for an assist.
In the first half, Wanette Miyashiro lofted her corner kick to Kai who headed the ball into the net at 12:56. Devitt scored next with assists from Joelle Sugai and Calpo who dropped a pass backward to the trailing striker near the top of the penalty box at 37:00.
O'Dell's goal cut Hawai'i's lead to 2-1. Kai scored her second goal at 44:07 off a misplay by Wyoming goalie Lori Scheider who let the ball bounce in front of her.
Wyoming's Adetoye opened the second half by scoring at 68:48. Devitt responded by dribbling past several defenders at the top of the penalty box and scoring at 72:46. Quattromani added a penalty kick at 83:24.
Wyoming coach Anne Moore said her team played well at times, but committed some defensive breakdowns. She credited the speed of Kai and Devitt for causing some of the turmoil.
"They're two very talented players," Moore said. "They put pressure on us and forced us to make mistakes."
