The Hawaii soccer team has plenty of goals but only one true objective.

Make the Big West Conference tournament for the first time.

UH, which tops the nine-team league in both goals scored (22) and allowed (29), opens conference play at home on Thursday against Cal State Fullerton.

In eight matches over the next month, the Rainbow Wahine (5-5) must finish in the top four to advance to the league tourney.

"I think we’re looking good," said sophomore Erica Young, who for the time being has taken over UH’s goalkeeping responsibilities from Monk Berger. "I know we really want it, we’re going to push ourselves really hard to be able to achieve that. I think it’s something that’s definitely within our reach."

UH was picked fifth in the Big West preseason poll, which might be a good sign for their postseason hopes — Michele Nagamine’s group exceeded preseason predictions in both previous Big West seasons.

Sometimes, just getting there is all you need. Last season, Fullerton went a middle-of-the-road 3-3-2 in the Big West, but parlayed a No. 4 seed into two conference tourney wins and an NCAA tournament appearance.

The Wahine have the firepower to get it done. Ten different players have scored this season, led by Storm Kenui and Sonest Furtado with four goals apiece. Last season, only five different Wahine scored.

Already, UH has exceeded last season’s goal total. But Nagamine hasn’t been one to take the scoring for granted.

"You just never know. It’s kind of like the oil well," she said. "When does it dry up? We don’t want to be sitting fat and happy and rolling around in the black gold when all of a sudden it just dries up, right? We’re going to make sure that we pay attention to the offense. … We’re going to find challenging things to do in and around the 18-yard box, because (challenges) are what we’re going to see in the Big West."

Over a 3-1 road trip to cap off its nonconference slate two weeks ago, Kenui and Furtado scored or assisted in each match. And the Pascua sisters at forward, Krystal and Kama (three goals apiece), must be respected as threats.

"I don’t know what it was, but when I went on the road I felt better," said Furtado, a freshman out of Waianae High. "I felt more used to everyone. I felt like my speed of play was starting to pick up a little more. When I got more comfortable I felt like I started making things happen and actually scoring some goals."

Yes, UH has succeeded at keeping scoreboard operators busy — because of activity at both ends of the field. Its 29 goals allowed (nearly three per match) is 12 more than any other Big West team, and 10 more than all of last season.

Nagamine thinks the Wahine have turned a corner in that regard thanks to some improved chemistry and communication. The team is coming off its two best defensive efforts of the season, with single goals allowed in wins over Eastern Washington and Montana at the Montana Invitational.

In goal, Young and Berger have essentially split time. Young took over for the last three games of the road trip.

"Monk is right in there," Nagamine said of last season’s BWC All-Freshman keeper. "I have no problem playing either keeper either day. That’s how confident I am in both of those women and their abilities. Erica’s getting the nod right now because she’s got some momentum going coming off of two wins on the road. She’s got a good rapport with the backs. So we’re probably going to roll with that this weekend."

She also moved freshman Dani Crawford to starting outer defender for Madison Reed. UH’s most experienced defender, junior Lidia Battaglia, is expected to return from a sprained ankle and play this week. Otherwise, UH is prepared to move midfielder Kenui to center back again.

UH has seen several teams playing the same 4-4-2 formation Fullerton prefers, Nagamine said, but she cautioned the visitors are better than their 2-7-2 record; five of the Titans’ losses have come in overtime.

The Wahine lost in overtime to the Titans each of the past two years.