Domingo might be out, but she’s certainly not down

Rachel Domingo intends to be heard across the expansive Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex in the coming weeks.

"I have a loud voice, man. I was in choir," the Hawaii soccer senior said. "I can yell pretty loud."

Rachel Domingo:
"I have a loud voice,
man. I was in choir.
I can yell pretty loud."

Domingo went down with a torn ACL in Sunday’s win over Utah Valley, and likely will miss the rest of her fifth and final season for the Rainbow Wahine. But the tri-captain’s spirits were high as her team looks to build on back-to-back home wins last week; Domingo will continue her vocal leadership from a sideline perspective.

Hawaii (3-1) takes on Drexel (3-1) of the Colonial Athletic Association on Friday. After that, UH hosts Division II Brigham Young-Hawaii for the first time in a regular-season game on Monday.

Like Hawaii, Drexel lost its first game but came back to win its next three. UH is shooting for its first four-game winning streak since winning the WAC tournament in 2007, and is unbeaten in its last seven home matches (6-0-1), going back to last season.

Drexel, featuring Punahou graduate Lauren Stollar — the first Dragons player from Hawaii — travels from Philadelphia for this match. The freshman has one goal as a reserve in four outings.

"They have a local connection, and we’re really excited to be playing a team from out of our region," UH coach Michele Nagamine said. "We’re hoping that the distance in travel might bring a little bit of a factor into us keeping our streak alive."

Barring a miracle comeback, UH will miss Domingo’s on-field leadership. It was the third ACL injury of her career, including one that cut short her 2011 season. Nagamine said she would take no chances with the midfielder’s long-term health.

"We’re losing a lot, because she’s one of our main leaders and she always brings our team together," said sophomore mid Krystal Pascua, who suffered a broken rib in the physical UVU game but is expected to play Friday. "But no matter what she always finds a way to help us."

Said Domingo, "I’m going to do what my coaches ask me and what my teammates need from me. I’m just going to be there for them."

UH lost seniors Skye Shimabukuro and Bree Locquiao to season-ending knee injuries in the offseason. Both are expected to return next season. Freshman Amanda McCaskill is done for the season after tearing her ACL in the season opener against Nevada.

In addition, freshman midfielder Alex Gerrain suffered a head injury vs. UVU and is questionable this week.

"I think all of us, our bodies are sore," Pascua said. "But when it comes to the next game, we’re going to be ready."

Sophomore forward Tiana Fujimoto, the Big West Offensive Player of the Week, has a team-high four goals for UH.