Rainbows roll past Long Island to end 4-game losing streak, 6-1
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team turned Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium into a shooting gallery last night against Long Island University.
After mustering a season-low three shots against nationally ranked UCLA on Sunday, Hawai'i unloaded 42 shots in a 6-1 victory over Long Island in the opening game of the OHANA Hotels & Resorts Shootout.
Natasha Kai and Arlene Devitt each scored two goals and Wanette Miyashiro and Tasha Hagan added one each for Hawai'i which snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 2-4-1. Long Island dropped to 2-4.
"It was a pretty game to watch," Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "It was easy on the eyes."
Hawai'i's six goals was its the highest scoring output this regular season, surpassing its 5-2 victory over Wyoming on Sept. 1.
"Hawai'i has some great players," Long Island coach Tracey Bartholomew said. "We haven't played anyone near that quick and that athletic this season."
Kai and Devitt led the Hawai'i charge last night, but it was Kai who felt the brunt of the Blackbirds punishing defense. Kai collided with Long Island players several times, including a three-player pileup in the first half, but continued to play and terrorize Long Island with her aggressive style.
"It hurt, but I'm a Wahine warrior," Kai said. "I didn't want to let my team down. I just sucked it up and played with all my heart."
Hawai'i scored first on a goal by Devitt at 9:07. Devitt controlled a pass from midfielder Carmen Calpo near the penalty box and rolled a left-footed shot past Blackbirds goalie Holly Nixon.
Miyashiro scored Hawai'i's second goal at 43:59 when she converged on a loose ball outside of the goalie box and booted a one-touch, line-drive shot into the goal.
In the second half, Kai scored her first goal at 54:55 off a sliding, left-footed shot near the top of the goalie box that eluded diving goalie Ashley Uske.
Devitt responded minutes later, scoring her second goal off a breakaway at 60:45. Devitt faked Uske to the turf and sent a left-footed shot into the open goal.
Kai scored her second goal at 62:25 when she ran down a bouncing pass from Kelly McCloskey and tapped a finesse shot over a charging Uske.
Hagan scored Hawai'i's sixth goal off a pass from Pam Fong at 88:51.
Long Island's Rosette Rough prevented the shutout with her goal at 88:59.
