The University of Hawai'i swept the top honors and placed five players on the first team on the all-Western Athletic Conference women's soccer team, announced last night at the WAC Tournament banquet in Boise, Idaho.

Sophomore forward Ambree Ako and junior defender Tehane Higa were named WAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, and Pinsoom Tenzing earned Coach of the Year as the Rainbow Wahine became the first school to sweep the top honors.

Joining Ako and Higa on the first team were forward Taryn Fukuroku, midfielder Jessica Domingo and defender Nicole Mikula.

Defender Chelsea Deptula and goalkeeper Kori Lu were named to the second team.

The seven selections are the most in school history.

"I'm happy that they were recognized," said Tenzing. "The way we finished the season, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody. It was a good night for them."

The Rainbow Wahine won their third conference title and outscored their WAC opponents 25-4. UH finished 13-4-2 overall and 6-1 in the WAC.

Ako is just the second UH player to win top offensive honors, joining three-time winner Natasha Kai (2002, '03, '05). The sophomore from 'Aiea finished as the league-leader in points (20) and assists (6) and co-leader in goals (7).

Ako tallied at least one point in all seven WAC matches, including two goals and two assists in UH's regular-season finale Sunday, a 7-0 WAC title-clinching victory over Idaho.

"She is a terrific player. The competition was really stiff," Tenzing said of Ako.

Higa, a junior co-captain from 'Aiea, became the first Rainbow to win the top defensive honor.

She anchored a defense that had a league-leading five shutouts. Higa, who played in six WAC matches this season, helped UH post a 0.59 goals against average, while scoring two goals in league play.

Higa's honor, Tenzing said, was "a delight and surprise. She deserves it."

Tenzing earned his second coach of the year award. He led UH to three WAC regular-season championships, including two titles in the past three years. UH tied a school record for victories this season and finished its first-ever undefeated season at home (11-0-1).

"If they don't play well, I don't do well," he said.

Fukuroku earned first-team honors for the second straight year. The junior co-led the WAC with Ako in conference goals (7).

Domingo garnered her third all-WAC selection in four years and second first-team honor. The senior from Honolulu had 10 assists, tying a UH single-season mark.

Mikula, a freshman, had four assists and a goal.

Deptula, a freshman, scored three goals, and Lu, a junior, made 45 saves and allowed 14 goals in 17 matches.