Rainbow Wahine sophomore forward Ambree Ako scored her second goal of the match on a penalty kick in overtime to lead the University of Hawai'i women's soccer team to the title in its season-opening tournament last night.

Hawai'i defeated Auburn, 2-1, for the championship of the Ohana Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium in front of 635.

"It sets our standards high," Ako said. "Beating really good teams helps us with our confidence."

Ako was taken down after a long floating pass from senior midfielder Jessica Domingo into the 18-yard box gave Ako a look at the goal. Four minutes, 42 seconds into the first overtime period, Ako's penalty kick won it for the Rainbow Wahine.

"I feel pretty good," Ako said. "I was a little bit nervous. The game was on the line. That's why I took a little while (before the kick) to collect my thoughts."

Ako tied it with about 20 minutes left in the game after a long throw-in by freshman Mari Punzal from the left side that reached junior forward Taryn Fukuroku in the 18-yard box. Fukuroku touched it to Domingo, who dropped it to Ako who was running to the top of the box. Ako finished the play on a 23-yard untouchable blast into the goal.

"It was a perfect ball by Jessica," said Ako, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. "I just thought, 'Please keep it down.' It was really important to get that goal because it kept us in the game. It kept our heads in the game."

Auburn forward Caitlin King scored in the 55th minute, breaking free into the 18-yard box after a misplay by a Hawai'i defender.

Hawai'i won the tournament with a 2-0 record. Auburn and Kansas, who tied 1-1 Saturday, both ended the tournament 0-1-1. Kansas was ranked No. 26 in the Soccer Buzz Top 30 preseason poll. Auburn has won five of the past six Southeastern Conference West titles.

"It just shows the kinds of things we're capable of," said Domingo, the team's co-captain.

The Rainbows struggled in the first half. Their four-back defense — which consisted of three freshmen — was caught flat a few times, allowing the Tigers to slip a few through balls past the defenders. Passes weren't connecting and defense was lacking in the middle of the field.

"It all comes from the fact that the defense is inexperienced," UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "And it showed with the confidence of the team. I'm certain we'll sort it out.

"To struggle and win is OK."

Two plays by Punzal and Nicole Mikula seemed to awaken the Rainbow Wahine. Minutes apart midway through the second half, both appeared fearless in taking on Auburn players and creating chances.

"You always need something to set it off," Domingo said. "Their spark picks us up."

The Tigers outshot the Rainbows 9-6 in the first half. Hawai'i goalkeeper Kori Lu made back-to-back saves, including a diving stop on a one-on-one with midfielder Gabi Rivera with about five minutes left in the first half. Three minutes later, she made another save on a point-blank shot by King. Hawai'i turned it around in the second half, with a 10-4 shots-on-goal advantage. Lu finished with six saves.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP: Ambree Ako, Hawai'i. Jenni Prescott, Auburn, MF; Caitlin King, Auburn, F; Rebecca Howell, Auburn, F; Tehane Higa, Hawai'i, D; Kori Lu, Hawai'i, GK; Jessica Domingo, Hawai'i, MF; Mari Punzal, Hawai'i, MF; Jessica Bush, Kansas, MF; Monica Dolinsky, Kansas, MF; Lauren Stewart, Auburn, D.

Note: Punzal earned Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors yesterday after her three-point performance (one goal, one assist) Friday night against Kansas.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.