Texas A&M schools young UH squad in soccer

Hawaii’s flock of freshmen got a thorough education from No. 11 Texas A&M in their first collegiate game.

Other than the 4-0 result, the experience was welcomed by the Rainbow Wahine in the 2018 season opener for both teams on Friday night at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

“They rose to the occasion. They were going against some very good players, kids who have national team experience,” UH coach Michele Nagamine said of her eight freshmen who saw action. “Having (them) go in there and deal with that physical ability … we said, ‘Hey, let’s just throw them in the deep end of the pool and see if we sink or swim.’ And I thought they were gonna swim, and they did.”

The 11th-ranked Aggies got a gift 13 minutes in, in the form of a misplayed ball between the UH defense and goalkeeper Alexis Mata, and the SEC powerhouse took that gift and ran with it.

“First-game jitters, I think,” Nagamine said. “Maybe a little lack of familiarity and communication.”

A&M, the reigning SEC champion that’s made the second round of the NCAA tournament the past 19 years, didn’t need the help. Brittany Crabtree scored that open-netter for the first of her two goals and UH was on its way to its most lopsided home loss since a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of Cal Poly on Oct. 4, 2015.

The Wahine tried to minimize the damage, coming out with a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation.

The exceptionally young Wahine played eight of their 10 freshmen — before halftime. Three started on the back line along with sophomore center back Cristina Drossos.

“I think they did awesome,” Drossos said. “A lot of people were talking to me about playing with three freshmen in the back, and how I feel about that. But I honestly trust them so much. They know when to step, when to drop.”

UH continues the Outrigger Soccer Kickoff at 5 p.m. Sunday against Bowling Green, which tied Loyola Marymount 1-1 preceding UH’s game Friday. A&M takes on LMU at 2:30.

The first couple of minutes were strong for a team that went 6-10-1 overall and finished last in the Big West (1-6-1) last season.

Before A&M got on the board, Pearl City alumna Daelenn Tokunaga — starting at forward in her first career college game — had a clean look that got past keeper Cosette Morche, but her flicked shot went just wide of the near post.

“I thought it was gonna go in. I was so excited, but it was close,” Tokunaga said. “It’s OK. It was almost (in). That was a good play to see what we can do. It can only get better.”

A&M led 3-0 at halftime after an impressive cross and finish by Cienna Arrieta and Reagan Smith. Jordan Hill put in a misclear in the box in the 73rd minute to complete the scoring.