The Hawaii soccer team broke out of a scoring slump to post its first road win of the season, 2-0 over Idaho State on a hazy Tuesday in Pocatello, Idaho.
UH (3-4) notched second-half goals by Sonest Furtado and Mikaelah Johnson-Griggs in the 77th and 88th minutes to end a series of missed chances by both teams on the narrow field of the Bengals (1-5). Dani Crawford and Furtado assisted on the respective scores.
“We just hung in there and the kids took a stance today they weren’t going to let anything happen,” coach Michele Nagamine said in a postgame phone interview. “We had some really good connection today.”
UH’s first score came just after Rainbow Wahine defender Cristina Drossos blocked a shot right at the goal line.
Coming off a 4-0 loss at Gonzaga on Sunday, goalkeeper Alexis Mata recorded a career-best eight saves in UH’s first clean sheet of 2017. The Wahine entered the day on a four-game losing streak with no goals over that span.
Furtado’s goal was her ninth career, with three coming at Idaho State after she posted two there in 2014. Johnson-Griggs’ goal was the sophomore’s first career.
UH returns home for its annual alumnae game on Sunday.
Hawaii Hilo volleyball wins season opener
Hawaii Hilo outside hitter Siera Green put down 11 kills in a decisive 25-15, 25-20, 25-13 win over Holy Names in a nonconference matchup on Tuesday in Oakland, Calif. The season-opening victory also marks the first win for new UHH head coach Gene Krieger.
Junior defensive specialist Mina Grant led the Vulcans (1-0) with 15 digs and four aces, while freshman Sha Rae Nui picked up 13 digs and nine assists.
The Hawks (0-5) finished with a minus-.019 hitting percentage and a dozen service errors. Summer Williams posted six kills and Daisy Valladares finished with 12 digs in the loss.
The Vulcans will face Menlo College (NAIA) at 3 p.m. today in Atherton, Calif.
———
Star-Advertiser Staff
