Aluli, Dianda help Hawai’i secure first win of the year over Idaho

HONOLULU – Tally one in the win column.

The University of Hawai’i women’s soccer team put together a cohesive 90 minutes of action on Saturday afternoon, posting the team’s first shutout and first multi-goal match of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Idaho Vandals (2-1-1) to close out the 2026 OUTRIGGER Invitational.

The Rainbow Wahine (1-3) got goals from senior striker Anuhea Aluli and freshman forward Olivia Dianda, each finding the back of the net for the second time in the young season.

Junior goalkeeper Kennedy Justin was able to register her first clean sheet of the season, tallying six saves as she turned away all six of Idaho’s shots on frame.

Aluli, who spent the first four years of her college career at Oakland before transferring back home to Hawai’i for her final year of eligibility this past offseason, pocketed her second score of the year in the 24th minute off of a corner kick opportunity.

Freshman midfielder Jas Cayetano floated the corner kick to the back post and Laule’a Ah Mook Sang got a head on ball for a shot to start the madness. Ah Mook Sang’s header was deflected by a Vandals defender before being re-directed by Piper Bertani across the six-yard box and in front of Aluli, who calmly cashed in on the prime scoring chance.

Hawaii F Anuhea Aluli dribbles down the sideline during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Idaho. | Photo Credit: Stacy Sur

Despite Idaho’s continuing offensive attack producing eight chances in the game’s opening 45 minutes, Justin and the Rainbow Wahine defense held firm to keep the 1-0 advantage safe heading into halftime for the hosts.

Hawai’i would add the insurance goal from Dianda in the 79th minute on an incredible left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box that looked like a crossing pass until it continued to knuckle towards the back of the net, giving the Rainbow Wahine a two-goal advantage with about 10 minutes to play.

Idaho did not go quietly, firing off five more shots (two on frame) in the final minutes to try and stage a miraculous comeback but were staunchly denied by the UH defense once again.

“We closed it out, we did what we had to do with one day rest against a very, very good team,” Hawai’i head coach Michele Nagamine said in her postgame interview with K5. “Idaho is always competing for their conference championship, so I have a ton of respect for their coaching staff … We knew this was going to be a game and for us to come out and get the first win on our home field, sure does feel good. I’m really happy for the women.”

Hawai’i will be back in action on Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. as they play host to Hawaii Pacific University.