Change wasn’t expected to be easy for the Hawaii soccer team.

Fourth-year coach Michele Nagamine, ever a realist, affirmed Friday it hasn’t been. Her team’s overhauled defense and regrouping front line get difficult first tests in Sunday’s 5 p.m. season opener against Arizona State in the Outrigger Resorts Shootout at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"I think we’re a little bit off from where we’d like to be," she said. "But it’s not for a lack of effort. It’s basically, minutes played last year and a lot of inexperience. But knowing that, they have such great attitudes and our kids are really coachable."

UH must turn around in less than 24 hours and play Texas at 5 p.m. on Monday. The Sun Devils and Longhorns will both have a rest advantage on the Wahine; they played to a 2-2 draw on Friday.

Adding to the early challenge, right winger Kama Pascua, a preseason Big West all-league pick, will miss the ASU game Sunday due to an accumulation of yellow and red cards from last season.

This is only the start. Nagamine is putting her program’s trend of continuous record improvement to the test through a difficult nonconference slate that includes defending national champion UCLA on Sept. 5. The Wahine reached .500 last season at 8-8-1 (3-4-1 Big West), but they are still in pursuit of their first winning season since 2008.

Nagamine had two serious concerns entering fall camp. One was finding scoring without 2013 Big West first-team forward Tiana Fujimoto, who netted 10 of the team’s 18 goals as a junior but is redshirting this season after having foot surgery. The other challenge was replacing three of four players on a veteran back line — Chelsea Miyake, Malé Fresquez and Karli Look.

Other coaches around the Big West Conference decided UH will be a threat despite those circumstances. They picked the Wahine fifth in the nine-team league — the same place they finished in 2013.

UH wants to better that projection and make its first Big West tournament, which takes only the top four teams.

Throughout growing pains and hiccups in fall camp, the Wahine kept falling back on perhaps their best attribute — their chemistry.

"I think that this year has a completely different vibe than I’ve ever played with on any other team," said senior co-captain Hayden Gibson. "I think we have a connection that’s very strong off the field, and I think it will all incorporate itself when we play. I think that’s the biggest thing we have over almost any D-I team, that we all get along, that we all have that connection on and off the field."

Areas of consistency from last season are the team’s 4-3-3 base formation, and personnel at midfield and in goal. Sophomore keeper Monk Berger is entrenched between the posts after earning Big West All-Freshman honors last season and setting some program records.

"Yeah, I got awards. It was fun while it lasted," said an unimpressed Berger. "But, it’s back to business, I guess. Can’t dwell on the fact that I did get awards and everything. It’s a new year, new start. Gotta be better than I was last year."

Fujimoto is actually one of three Wahine likely done for the season before their first drive out to the Waipio Peninsula. The others are sophomore forward Justine Olotoa and freshman midfielder Spenser Jaye, who both had knee injuries. It’s cut into the team’s overall depth.

"I’m confident if we can get through this weekend unscathed (with injuries), we should be OK," Nagamine said. "It’s just a matter of playing smart and keeping us healthy."

POSITION-BY-POSITION CAPSULES

FORWARDS

Returnees: #9 Krystal Pascua, 5-8, Sr.; #13 Kama Pascua, 5-5, So.; #6 T.J. Reyno, 5-2, So.; #16 Amanda Bates, 5-3, So.; #22 Justine Olotoa, 5-4, So.

Gains: #25 Kiani Halushka, 5-4, Fr.; #8 Sonest Furtado, 5-5, Fr.

Losses: Skye Shimabukuro (5 years); McKenzie McGoldrick (3 years); Tiana Fujimoto (injury redshirt)

Summary: Fujimoto, with her propensity for game-winners, is out for the year, but the Pascua sisters should generate scoring opportunities and finish on a fair share. Team co-captain Krystal provides a large target for teammates at holding forward. It’s the last year she and her swift sibling Kama (UH’s second-leading scorer in 2013) can play together. Reyno missed about half of preseason practices after taking a hit to the head but has recovered and is locked in at left wing. Halushka, the 2013-14 Gatorade Player of the Year out of Kamehameha, and Furtado, out of Waianae, will see opportunities to contribute off the bench.

MIDFIELDERS

Returnees: #2 Storm Kenui, 5-5, So.; #26 Hayden Gibson, 5-5, Sr.; #3 Ashley Haruki, 5-1, Sr.; #19 Alexis Colacchio, 5-3, Sr.; #11 Hallie Hernandez, 5-4, So.; #23 Lauren Takai, 5-4, So.; #5 Olivia Stanford, 5-6, Jr.

Gains: #10 Spenser Jaye, 5-4, Fr.

Losses: Bree Locquiao (5 years); Addison Carroll (2 years)

Summary: This is Nagamine’s new "Timex Crew," inheriting that title from last season’s iron women on defense. Kenui, Gibson and Haruki should see the vast majority of minutes here. Kenui has developed into a legitimate scoring threat from distance, Gibson, the holding (defensive) mid, is a gifted communicator and Haruki is a workhorse. Colacchio, one of the fastest players on the team, is experienced and can be brought in as a change-of-pace threat. Hernandez is a fine passer and could be used on set pieces. Takai and Stanford add depth.

DEFENDERS

Returnees: #4 Lidia Battaglia, 5-6, Jr.; #15 Madison Reed, 5-7, So.; #18 Ryan Daniel, 5-5, So.; #20 Korinne Estrada, 5-3, Sr.

Gains: #24 Paige Okazaki, 5-7, Fr.; #7 Dani Crawford, 5-4, Fr.

Losses: Chelsea Miyake (4 years); Male Fresquez (4 years); Karli Look (4 years)

Summary: The overhaul of the back line was softened by the emergence of the physical Battaglia as a leader at center back. She’ll help bring along the other center, Okazaki, who is drawing comparisons to the departed Miyake in size and skill set. Reed and Daniel have locked up the two outer back spots after seeing time as reserves as freshmen. Daniel is the most athletic player on the team and could also be used as an attacker, freeing up Crawford or Estrada to contribute. Crawford has impressed the coaches with abilities surpassing expectations.

GOALKEEPERS

Returnees: #21 Monk Berger, 5-7, So.; #31 Erica Young, 5-7, So.

Gains: #30 Dana Connors, 5-7, Fr.

Losses: Georgia Barnes (2 years)

Summary: Berger arrived with considerable hype and eventually outdueled the capable Young as the starting keeper over the course of last season, paving the way for her Big West All-Freshman team selection. She set a school single-season record in solo shutouts with seven. Though just a sophomore, Berger will be relied upon to bring along a young defense. Young is a solid second option who appeared in four matches in 2013, including a shutout of UCSB. Connors, of Mission Viejo, Calif., isn’t expected to see action this season.