The Rainbow Warriors opened their campaign with a decisive 2-0 victory against the Vandals, a result that marks the program’s first win of the current season and signals a promising shift after a prior setback.
Senior transfer Anuhea Aluli broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, striking for the second time this season and giving the hosts an early lead that they would protect throughout the match.
Freshman Olivia Dianda added her own contribution in the 79th minute, extending the advantage and securing her second goal of the campaign, which underscored the depth of talent on the young roster.
Between the scoring plays, goalkeeper Kennedy Justin stood firm, turning away every test from Idaho’s attack to preserve a clean sheet and reinforce confidence in the defensive unit.
A Turnaround in the Making
The win comes after a 3-1 loss to Western Michigan earlier in the schedule, a defeat that had raised questions about the team’s cohesion. The latest result suggests the squad is beginning to gel and capitalize on its strengths.
Head coach Michele Nagamine expressed satisfaction with the progress, highlighting the players’ development and the respectful approach toward the opposition’s coaching staff as key factors in the turnaround.
Looking ahead, the ‘Bows will host Hawaii Pacific in a home fixture, a match that promises to test the momentum built by the recent performance and provide further insight into the team’s evolving dynamics.