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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 9:41 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2009

Rainbows top Air Force in soccer exhibition

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two weeks into its offseason training, the University of Hawai'i women's soccer team picked up a 2-0 win over Air Force in a spring exhibition yesterday afternoon at the Rainbow Wahine practice field.

Junior forward Ambree Ako scored and added an assist for Hawai'i, which was hoping to work on passing and team chemistry in the offseason.

"They are still finding each other, and it's obvious," Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "In this very short time (that we've been training), we've been working on our offensive formation."

Ako set up transfer Britta Bourne four minutes into the second half on a touch to her left for Bourne inside the 18-yard box. Ako's goal game off a cross from alum Taryn Fukuroku, whose ball deflected off an Air Force defender before bouncing to Ako, who finished with two minutes left in the game.

The Rainbows also play in a 6-A-Side tournament all today at UH. Hawai'i also has an alumni game and scrimmages against Leahi Soccer Club and a men's team later in this spring training season.

"We want to formulate the way we want to play in the fall," Tenzing said.

Hawai'i lost six seniors last season, including Fukuroku, the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. They are also without WAC Defensive Player of the Year Nicole Mikula, who was granted a release and is playing for St. Joseph's.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.