After losing two games and possibly some of its top players for a short time, the University of Hawai'i women's soccer team hopes to rebound in this weekend's games against Weber State and Hawai'i Pacific.

The Rainbow Wahine took a 5-0-1 home record on their first road trip of the season and lost both games, a 2-1 double overtime loss to Cal State Northridge and a 6-0 blowout by UCLA, playing without starters Jessica Domingo (concussion), Ambree Ako (concussion) and Tehane Higa (sprained ankle) against the No. 7 Bruins.

"We seriously had nothing to lose going to play UCLA," Domingo said. "Not one second did we give up, and that says a lot. On the road, it's hard, and we came back from it and hopefully we don't let it affect us."

What might have more of an effect is the availability of Domingo, Ako and Higa for a pair of non-conference games against Weber State (3-4-1) tonight and Hawai'i Pacific (1-5) Sunday at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"I think we're going to rebound this weekend," Higa said.

Domingo and Ako are awaiting head pieces and mouthguards, Domingo said. If they arrive in time for the game, they should be able to play, "hopefully," she said.

Higa will miss this weekend's games. She was off crutches and in a walking boot yesterday, and said, "it's getting better, it's not as bad."

Domingo said it will prove how strong the team really is. "They will have to pick themselves up and we have to have different people step up," she said.

The injury-prone Rainbow Wahine — "I think because we're such fighters, we're always in there," Domingo said — welcomed the return of seniors Koren Takeyama and Shawn Higa.

"We're trying to bring them in easily," coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "They haven't found their feet. They are excellent soccer players, but because of the long layoff, they are not spot on."

It also helps to be back in the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"All things considered, we're much more cheerful at home," Tenzing said. "But if we don't get our big guns back before the (Western Athletic Conference season), it will be of concern."

The Rainbow Wahine have a 3-2-1 series record against Weber State. They last played Sept. 10, 2005, playing to a 0-0 draw. The Wildcats won one of their past five games (1-3-1), but Tenzing said he is wary of their offense.

"Weber State is a really tough team," he said. "My research on them says they've got some scoring power. They beat Boise State, 3-0, and tied Oregon State, 3-3."

Hawai'i and Hawai'i Pacific renew their in-state rivalry after last playing in 2000 (UH holds a 7-0 series record).

"It's good for everybody concerned," Tenzing said. "The TV cameras are going to be out there and it's good exposure for HPU.

"We like to promote the rivalry. I still feel a little bit like the older sister in the state, and we ought to be a little better."

With Higa out, Tenzing will likely play with a young defensive line. Lehua Wood is the lone senior and she will play with three freshmen: Mari Punzal, Chelsea Deptula and Nicole Mikula, all whom have scored goals this season.

"I'm eternally hopeful about the team we have this year because they work so hard at practice," Tenzing said. "What the youth of the team has done has given us raw power, but that's not how we play. Come the WAC season, I'm hoping they'll settle down and start pushing the ball around like we did last year."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.