Wahine soccer opens season with a big challenge

The Hawaii soccer team wastes no time challenging itself this fall.

The Rainbow Wahine, last place in the Big West Conference last year at 1-6-1 (6-10-1 overall), opens their 19-match schedule at home Aug. 17 against Texas A&M. The Aggies finished 2017 at No. 7 in national RPI and No. 12 in United Soccer Coaches ranking.

“I’m very happy with the challenging schedule we have been able to put together for 2018,” eighth-year coach Michele Nagamine said in a UH release. “Opening with a powerhouse like Texas A&M will be an excellent opportunity for our young team to experience a quality side that is always one of the top teams in the country.”

The Rainbow Wahine, who feature two local seniors in Raisa Strom-Okimoto (Aiea) and Sarah Lau (Kamehameha), will play 11 matches at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium, including three tournaments. Home opponents include Arizona State (Aug. 24), UC San Diego (Sept. 7) and Grand Canyon (Sept. 23).

Big West play begins on the road at UC Irvine on Sept. 28. The first of four conference home games is Oct. 4 vs. Long Beach State.