Arizona State routs UH in soccer opener

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The loss of one of its top players and several defensive mistakes proved too much to overcome for Hawai'i's women's soccer team against 11th-ranked Arizona State last night.

Sophomore forward Elizabeth Bogus scored two goals and the Sun Devils erupted for three second-half goals to beat the Rainbow Wahine, 4-0, in the Ohana Hotels and Resorts No Ka 'Oi tournament at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Hawai'i played without three-time All-Western Athletic Conference senior forward Arlene Devitt, who was suspended for last night's season-opener by coach Pinsoom Tenzing for disciplinary reasons.

"I don't think that (Devitt's loss) impacted us too much, we just made mistakes," Tenzing said. "We're generally solid in the back. It just so happened we made all of the mistakes in the same game."

Tenzing said Devitt's status for tomorrow's 5 p.m. match against Bowling Green is uncertain. Arizona State (1-0) will play Bowling Green today at 7 p.m.

Without Devitt, Arizona State's defense swarmed on WAC Player of the Year Natasha Kai.

"We were constantly aware of (Kai)," ASU coach Ray Leone said. "One person couldn't stop her, you needed to help. She's that good."

Kai, a sophomore, had three of Hawai'i's four shots on goal. Arizona State had eight shots on goal.

"We didn't come up with our game today," Kai said.

Bogus scored on a left-footed shot five minutes into the game. Patrice Feulner scored in the 47th minute, Levise Robertson scored three minutes later and Bogus ended the scoring in the 73rd minute.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.