WAIPAHU, O’ahu – Behind Caroline Carter’s first-half goal and a solid all-around defensive effort, the Hawai’i women’s soccer team earned its first win of 2025 with a 1-0 shutout of Central Arkansas to open the OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff Thursday.
Despite scoring just one goal, the Rainbow Wahine created numerous opportunities the entire match, attempting 22 shots with nine of them coming on frame. Defensively, UH held the Bears to just six shot attempts as goalkeepers Kennedy Justin and Brianna Chirpich split the match and combined for the clean sheet.
The ‘Bows came out on the attack, firing off 10 shots in the first 25 minutes before finally breaking through in the 34th minute. Carter put away her first goal in a Rainbow Wahine uniform, finishing in front of the net following an Amber Gilbert cross and Jordyn Eldredge Sagapolutele feed to make it 1-0.
The Rainbow Wahine continued to create opportunities to add to the lead in the second half, firing off nine shots after the break but couldn’t cash in. From there, the ‘Bows some late UCA attempts at equalizing down the stretch to hang on the for the victory.
UH is now unbeaten in its last four home openers and have won eight of the last nine matches at Waipi’o Peninsula Soccer Stadium dating back to last year. Carter’s goal made it four different goal scorers on the Hawai’i’s four goals this year, and Eldredge Sagapolutele’s assist made it eight different players with a point.
The Rainbow Wahine continue the OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff Sunday with a 4 p.m. matchup against Oregon. The Ducks dropped game one of Thursday’s action, 1-0 to Sacramento State.
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