Hawaii was denied its first Big West Conference soccer road win in crushing fashion.

The Rainbow Wahine could not make a one-goal lead stand up in a 2-1 overtime defeat to defending regular-season champion Cal State Fullerton at Titan Stadium on Friday.

“That really sucked,” UH coach Michele Nagamine said in a postgame phone interview. “The wind picked up, there was stuff blowing in everybody’s eyes. It was just miserable.”

In the Big West opener for both teams, UH (5-5, 0-1) controlled possession much of the way and posted a 17-10 shot advantage in regulation. The Wahine got on the board in the 58th minute when freshman Kama Pascua took a pass from Karli Look and buried her third goal of the season.

But the Titans (6-3-3, 1-0), the projected repeat champion, answered in the 61st minute, and goalkeeper Lindsey Maricic (five saves) denied several Wahine opportunities late.

“Their keeper was out of her mind tonight. She was a ninja keeper. She was everywhere,” Nagamine said.

UH’s bid for at least a draw didn’t last long once overtime arrived. Summer Chavez scored in the 93rd minute.

“With the momentum that we had, I thought that at the worst we were going to tie,” Nagamine said. “I didn’t think we would lose that game. But it was a great shot, with the wind, from 30 yards out, and it kind of picked it up at the end. (Goalkeeper) Monk (Berger) said she didn’t even see it coming.”

The Wahine were 0-4-1 on the road in the Big West last season, but they arrived in California with a new mind-set thanks to their 3-1 away record in nonconference play.

UH was hindered to an extent by flu-like symptoms going around the team. Striker Tiana Fujimoto played through them, as did midfielder Ashley Haruki and defender Ryan Daniel.

“We played very well. We were definitely not the same team we used to be on the road,” Nagamine said. “It was a great game, super physical. It was very emotional, very intense. It got a little chippy there.”

Midfielder Krystal Pascua and defender Lidia Battaglia were yellow-carded.

UH will look to bounce back at UC Riverside (4-7-1, 1-0) in an early-afternoon game on Sunday. The Highlanders defeated Cal State Northridge 3-1 on Friday.