Aug. 27, 2005

WAIPAHU, Hawai'i - The George Mason women's soccer team started the 2005 season on Friday night, with a dramatic overtime match at the University of Hawaii. In the end, the home team managed to hold off the Patriots as the Rainbow Wahine defeated Mason, 2-1, in overtime on the opening evening of the OHANA Hotels & Resort No Ka Oi at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Krisha Kai scored the golden goal a little more than six minutes into overtime to secure the win. Kai's game-winner, the third of her career, came off a corner kick with an assist coming from her sister, Natasha Kai. Adria Campbell served up the corner kick from the left flank, while Natasha Kai headed the ball to Krisha, who planted herself in the middle of the box and one-timed the ball in the back of the net.

UH dominated for much of the match, finishing with a 23-11 shot advantage. The Rainbow Wahine had numerous opportunities fall on the way side, including wto breakaway opportunities for Natasha Kai in the first half. The senior striker finally cashed in during the second half, when she received a through ball from Jessica Domingo, sidestepped George Mason goalkeeper Olivia Brown, then sent a left-footed rocket for the match's first goal in the 65th minute.

George Mason evened the score in the 83rd minute when Danielle MacDonald's corner kick swerved in the goal off the out-stretched hand of UH goalkeeper Kori Lu. UH, however, would not back down and continued to attack the goal. Freshman Aimee Cohen headed a shot off the post with just three minutes left in regulation, while Natasha Kai generated yet another breakaway opportunity early in overtime, before her sister finally ended the match minutes later.

The Rainbow Wahine, who played a school-record seven overtime matches last year, are now undefeated in their last 15 overtime matches (8-0-7) dating back to 2001. UH also won its first season- opener since 2001.

The OHANA Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi continues Saturday evening as George Mason takes on Brigham Young. Hawaii will face Brigham Young on Monday at 5 p.m. for the final match of the round-robin tournament.