A pair of defensive mistakes left the University of Hawai'i women's soccer team on the losing end of a 1-0 game in its season opener last night.

Washington defeated Hawai'i in the OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium in front of 810 fans.

Washington's Melissa Beal scored in the 69th minute on a heads-up play when she stole the ball from Rainbow defender Shawn Higa, who was trying to control the ball. Beal chased the ball down and fired a shot, which trickled between the legs of Hawai'i goalkeeper Kori Lu.

"I think our team was dominating, it was just bad luck. The ball was slippery," Lu said. "It was a loss of concentration for a second, and any second they can just put it away."

It was the first win for Washington in more than a year. Washington was winless last season (0-17-3) after advancing to the Elite 8 in 2004. Last night's win was "bigger than life itself," UW coach Lesle Gallimore said.

"Hawai'i was what we expected," she added. "Fit, physical, skillful. They play much bigger than they are. It wasn't the prettiest goal, but soccer is a weird game. Beal did a great job putting pressure on their defense."

Hawai'i plays Oklahoma on Monday at 5 p.m. in the tournament finale. Washington plays Oklahoma tonight at 7.

In its first game without offensive juggernaut Natasha Kai, the three-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing thought his team "played competitive, feisty, competed for air balls, and didn't get intimidated" by a much larger Husky squad.

Until the Huskies' goal, Hawai'i had five shots on goal to Washington's one.

"It was a hard game, a good battle. We just ended up on the wrong side," UH captain Jessica Domingo said. "Our defensive line played out of their minds. We just got unlucky tonight."

Forwards Ambree Ako, a freshman, and Taryn Fukuroku, a sophomore, were active, with Fukuroku taking five shots.

"We're young on top. They'll finish those goals at the end of the season, I promise," Domingo said.

Hawai'i's best chance of the second half was when a Rainbow defender sent a long ball that deflected off a Huskies player, and Ako chased the ball down. Her shot was stopped by goalkeeper Kelsey Rasmussen, but her save popped up in the air. Fukuroku tried to head the ball into the goal but Rasmussen saved it in the 50th minute.

Hawai'i took a beating physically in the first half, being outfouled 8-0. In the second half they evened up, with six fouls for UH to five by Washington.

Washington had a chance to score in the 78th minute, but Shuree Hyatt's shot hit the left post.

"We needed to play smarter and quicker," Domingo said.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.