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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, September 17, 2007

Rainbow Wahine stop Dukes to stay unbeaten

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: Hawaii-Duquesne soccer

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Hawai'i's Taryn Fukuroku, left, and Duquesne's Emily Sedgwick chase down the ball during the first half of yesterday's non-conference match at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Fukuroku scored a goal in the Rainbow Wahine's 2-0 victory over the Dukes.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team gave Duquesne no mathematical chance at victory yesterday behind one simple stat: no shots on goal allowed.

Tehane Higa scored off a corner kick from Ambree Ako at 18:49 and Taryn Fukuroku blasted in a 30-yarder at 88:42 as Hawai'i beat Duquesne, 2-0, before 417 at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

The Rainbow Wahine's back line of Chelsea Deptula, Nicole Mikula, Lehua Wood and Higa ensured it would be an easy day for goal keepers Kori Lu (first half) and Nicole McClure (second half).

"We knew how they played from playing them on Friday," Higa said, referring to a 5-2 Hawai'i victory. "We knew they like a lot of through balls, so we had to adjust to that, give them more space so we could be first to the ball."

On the first goal, Higa gave Ako a little advice before she took a corner kick with the wind from the left side.

"The wind was blowing across the field, so most of the time, the ball was going to the back post," Higa said. "So right before she took it, I told her to watch the wind. Maybe she adjusted it and eased up on the strength of her kick."

The ball traveled to Higa in the 6-yard box, and she headed it past Dukes goalkeeper Brittany Findley.

"It kind of landed in the middle, and I saw the keeper coming out so I just closed my eyes and went in full blast. And I turned around and it was a goal," Higa said.

Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said he wasn't surprised the 5-foot-4 Higa was able to score.

"They are all very strong headers and that's why they are in there," Tenzing said. "Higa, particularly, who doesn't have a lot of height. She can get up with the very best."

Hawai'i (5-0-1) benefitted from a poor clear by Findley on its other goal.

Findley sent a line drive to Fukuroku just in front of mid-field. Fukuroku dribbled a few times and kicked the ball over Findley and into the goal.

"I would like her to take it to the goalkeeper because she was so wide open," Tenzing said. "She shot from outside. It was a great shot." Fukuroku, a junior forward, scored a goal in her fourth consecutive match. It's the second-longest streak in Hawai'i history. The school record is nine in a row held by Natasha Kai in 2003.

Duquesne (3-3) was credited with four shots.

"We definitely didn't create enough chances to win the game," Duquesne coach Tim Zundel.

The Dukes had three yellow cards in the match. They were for arguing with the referee, shoving a Hawai'i player during a stoppage in play and a hard tackle.

"Honestly, I don't mind getting yellow cards," Zundel said. "What I mind in getting yellow cards is for dissent for the referee."

Hawai'i will next embark on its first road trip of the season. The Rainbows will play Cal State Northridge Friday and UCLA, ranked No. 7 in the latest Soccer Buzz poll, Sunday.

"It'll test how good we are as a team right now," Higa said.

Hawai'i will return home to play Weber State Sept. 28 and Hawai'i Pacific Sept. 30.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.