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The Hawaii soccer team’s Big West Conference tournament hopes took a hit in a heartbreaking 3-2 double-overtime loss to Cal Poly tonight at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Kama Pascua scored on a breakaway goal with 1:19 left in regulation to force overtime, bringing the Rainbow Wahine back from a 2-0 deficit in the early moments of the second half.
Freshman goalkeeper Monk Berger came on in relief of starter Erica Young and had two huge saves in the first 10-minute extra period.
But in the second and final OT period, UH had a misplayed ball at midfield and Cal Poly (7-7, 3-1 BWC) took advantage with a goal on a 2-on-1 possession by the nation’s leading scorer, Elise Krieghoff.
UH fell to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in the Big West. It needs a top-four finish among nine teams to qualify for the league tourney.
Tiana Fujimoto halved the Mustangs’ lead with a lobbed shot over the Poly goalkeeper’s head in the 54th minute. It was Fujimoto’s eighth goal of the season and and 19th career, moving her into sole possession of fifth on the UH career list.
UH next heads back to the mainland for matches at UC Davis and Long Beach State on Thursday and Sunday.
