Hawaiʻi Blanks New Mexico State, 3-0, for Third Straight Shutout

Hawaiʻi Blanks New Mexico State, 3-0, for Third Straight Shutout

Sep 4, 2026

Hawaiʻi Blanks New Mexico State, 3-0, for Third Straight Shutout

Hawaii F Anuhea Aluli celebrates with teammates after goal against New Mexico State. | Photo Credit: Stacy Sur / Special to Hawai’i Sports Radio Network

HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi women’s soccer team continued its strong run of form Thursday, scoring three times in the second half to defeat New Mexico State, 3-0, at the UH Lower Campus Field.

The Rainbow Wahine improved to 3-3 on the season while recording their third consecutive clean sheet.

After a scoreless first half, Hawaiʻi broke through just 77 seconds after the restart on a goal by Anuhea Aluli. Jas Cayetano added to the lead in the 76th minute before Tatum Porter capped the 3-0 victory in the 82nd.

Hawaiʻi finished with a 14-5 advantage in shots and put seven attempts on frame while holding the Aggies without a shot on goal.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for them,” head coach Michele Nagamine said. “They did everything that we worked on in training this week. … To get three shutouts in a row and score some goals in the process, and some really nice goals too, that was big time.”

Nagamine was particularly pleased with how the Rainbow Wahine translated their work in training to the field, pointing to the team’s ability to open up space, move the ball and switch the point of attack.

“I think they are starting to understand the system and what we’re trying to do,” Nagamine said. “I thought we opened up the field and used the space really well today, and we moved the ball.”

Thursday also marked an important step forward for Hawaiʻi’s depth, as Leila Kahoano and Nalani Damacion made their first appearances of the season after returning from injury. Kahoano logged 24 minutes, while Damacion played 18 minutes and recorded one shot.

Nagamine called Damacion’s return an emotional moment after a lengthy recovery and said both players will be limited initially as they work their way back to full strength.

“It’s just nice to have her and Leila Kahoano back in the mix,” Nagamine said. “They’re going to be limited in the minutes for now, but I think they’ll be flying high by the time we get to conference.”

The Rainbow Wahine return to action Sunday against Washington State. Nagamine said the focus remains on continuing the progress Hawaiʻi has made throughout its non-conference schedule.

“We just want to keep moving forward,” she said. “I can see them growing, I can see the maturity, and I’m just absolutely thrilled for them.”

Hawai’i will be back in action on Sunday, September 6 at 4 p.m. as they close out their home stand against Washington State.

PHOTOS BY STACY SUR

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

ADVERTISEMENT

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

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

Aug 23, 2026

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

The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine soccer team celebrate after a goal against Idaho. | Photo Credit: Stacy Sur / Special to Hawaii Sports Radio Network

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.

PHOTOS BY STACY SUR

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Win streak hits six as Hawai’i swiftly sweeps San Jose State

Oct 10, 2026

HONOLULU – Someone tell Joshua Walker to keep his dancing shoes handy. The University of Hawai’i women’s volleyball team continued a perfect start to conference play on Saturday night, slicing through San Jose State (6-10, 1-5 Mountain West) in...

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Arizona State rolls along as Hawai’i road rally falls short

Oct 10, 2026

The seeds of competence were there. The University of Hawai’i football team traveled to Tempe, took an early lead for the first time in a month and slowly unraveled afterwards on the way to a 30-12 loss to Arizona State (3-2) on Saturday night....

ADVERTISEMENT

Porter’s Equalizer Powers Hawai‘i to Draw Against UC San Diego

Porter’s Equalizer Powers Hawai‘i to Draw Against UC San Diego

Oct 13, 2025

Porter’s Equalizer Powers Hawai‘i to Draw Against UC San Diego

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 13, 2025

Under the soft Sunday lights at Waipi‘o Peninsula Soccer Stadium, Hawai‘i women’s soccer battled UC San Diego to a 1–1 draw — a result defined by grit, rhythm, and a touch of brilliance from junior forward Tatum Porter, whose second-half strike off the crossbar brought the Rainbow Wahine level.

From the opening whistle, Hawai‘i looked the sharper side. Porter wasted no time asserting herself in the attack, forcing UCSD goalkeeper Charlotte Wilfert into an early save with a low drive in the fifth minute. The ‘Bows dictated much of the first-half flow, connecting through Krista Peterson and Cate Sheahan to generate sustained pressure, but were unable to convert their chances.

Against the run of play, the Tritons struck first. In the 24th minute, Alexis Nguyen slipped a pass through the box to Kennadi Borg, who calmly finished to put UC San Diego up 1–0. The Wahine responded by tightening their press and creating a series of half-chances before the break, but the Tritons’ defense held firm.

Momentum shifted decisively just minutes into the second half. At the 47:43 mark, Solala Nasu delivered a perfectly timed pass toward the top of the box, where Porter turned and unleashed a rising shot that crashed off the bottom of the crossbar and bounced down across the goal line. The equalizer electrified the crowd and injected new life into Hawai‘i’s attack.

With the score tied, the Rainbow Wahine kept pressing. Isabella Kaemmerer and Sheahan both forced saves from Wilfert, while Porter remained a constant threat up front, testing the UCSD back line until the final whistle. On the other end, Kennedy Justin stood strong in goal, recording two key saves to keep the Tritons from regaining the lead.

When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read 1–1 — a fair reflection of a match that showcased Hawai‘i’s energy, resilience, and attacking intent. The draw extends the Wahine’s unbeaten stretch at home and underscores a growing sense of rhythm as they continue Big West play.

Next up, Hawai‘i hosts CSUN on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Waipi‘o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. The Rainbow Wahine are 3–5–8 overall and 1–1–4 Big West (7 pts), sitting 7th in the standings, while CSUN comes in 5–6–3 overall and 3–0–2 Big West (11 pts), tied for first with UC Santa Barbara. It’s a prime chance for UH to climb the table against a Matadors side unbeaten in league play.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Hawai‘i Earns First Big West Win with Gritty 1–0 Victory Over Cal Poly

Hawai‘i Earns First Big West Win with Gritty 1–0 Victory Over Cal Poly

Oct 10, 2025

Photo by Michael Lasquero / Hawaii Sports Radio Network

Hawai‘i Earns First Big West Win with Gritty 1–0 Victory Over Cal Poly

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 10, 2025

The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine earned a hard-fought 1–0 win over Cal Poly Thursday night at Waipi‘o Peninsula Soccer Stadium, claiming their first Big West victory of the season behind a resilient defensive performance and a decisive first-half strike from senior midfielder Caroline Carter.

First-Half Pressure Pays Off

From the opening whistle, Hawai‘i (3–5–7, 1–1–3 Big West) dictated the tempo and outshot Cal Poly 16–11 on the night, applying consistent offensive pressure early. Nalani Damacion, Tatum Porter, and Cate Sheahan helped the ‘Bows generate several strong looks at goal — including a Krista Peterson effort that rattled the crossbar in the 22nd minute.

Carter finally broke through for the ‘Bows in the 40th minute, scoring when Peterson’s cross into the box ricocheted off a Mustang defender, allowing her to finish with her right foot from just in front of the goal. The senior midfielder’s strike marked her second game-winner of the season at Waipi‘o, both ending in 1–0 victories.

“Honestly, it’s just the team,” Carter said after the match. “I saw the ball at my feet and just told myself, ‘put it in the back of the net.’ We’ve been working on finishing in practice, so I felt confident and ready.”

Defensive Wall and a Full 90 for Justin

While the offense controlled much of the first half, it was the defense and goalkeeper Kennedy Justin who sealed the win. The sophomore recorded seven saves, including three in the final five minutes as Cal Poly (4–2–8, 2–2–1 Big West) pressed for an equalizer.

“I think we all did it together,” Justin said. “At the end it was just all 11 people defending as one. I really love a team win like that.”

Justin, who played all 90 minutes for the first time this season, showcased sharp reflexes and composure through a physical, end-to-end second half. One of her biggest moments came in the closing stretch, when she absorbed a volley to the stomach amid a collision in the box to preserve the shutout.

“I just took it right to the stomach,” Justin said with a laugh. “But my team had my back — they trust me, and I trust them.”

Hawai‘i’s back line was equally steady, holding Cal Poly to just seven shots on goal and weathering five corner kicks to post the team’s third clean sheet of the year.

Nagamine Praises Grit and Growth

Head coach Michele Nagamine called the victory one of her team’s most complete efforts of the year — not just for the result, but for how Hawai‘i handled the Mustangs’ physicality and tempo.

“Cal Poly is such a good, athletic, physical team,” Nagamine said. “I thought what our team was able to do in the first half was incredible. It was super gritty — I was on pins and needles the entire time.”

The match marked Hawai‘i’s first Big West win and ended a streak of draws. For Nagamine, it also reflected a mental and emotional breakthrough.

“We’ve flown over 20,000 miles already this season, and for them to show that kind of fitness and fight says a lot,” she added. “This was 100 percent a deserved win.”

Momentum at Waipi‘o

Hawai‘i edged Cal Poly in nearly every major category — more shots, more corners, and the lone goal that mattered. The home crowd, boosted by Hawai‘i Rush youth players assisting on the sidelines, created one of the most electric atmospheres of the season.

“When we get the fans out, they buoy us,” said Nagamine. “They were phenomenal tonight. This one’s for them.”

The victory extends Hawai‘i’s unbeaten streak at Waipi‘o to three matches and keeps the Rainbow Wahine climbing the Big West standings heading into their next home match against UC San Diego.

Scoring Summary:

  • 39:34 – HAW | Caroline Carter (assist Krista Peterson)

Final: Hawai‘i 1, Cal Poly 0

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT