HONOLULU – Chelsea Deptula scored one of the biggest goals ever for the University of Hawai’i women’s soccer team Sunday night, netting the game-winner in overtime against No. 20 UC Santa Barbara, giving the Rainbow Wahine a 2-1 victory in the final match of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Soccer Classic at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Deptula’s goal came in the 98th minute, ending the sudden-victory overtime. Sunday night’s win against No. 20 UCSB marks the highest ranked opponent UH has beaten. Last season UH beat its first ranked opponent in school history, No. 26 Kansas.
The Rainbow Wahine also earned the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Soccer Classic title, finishing 1-0-1. The Gauchos finished 1-1-0 and Montana went 0-1-1. Overall UCSB drops to 6-3-0 on the season. UH improved to 3-3-2 on the season and picked up its first home victory.
UH struck first in the opening half, jumping in front 1-0 on Kristyn Shapka’s second goal of the season at the 18-minute mark. Shapka dribbled down the middle of the field and beat UCSB goalkeeper Tammy Lenham from 20 yards out.
The Gauchos tied the game in the 79th minute when Kyle McDonald scored from the left side of the box after taking a feed from Genelle Ives.
The game remained tied with several key saves by Kori Lu down the stretch. Lu finished with seven saves in the game.
To start the overtime period, UH applied offensive pressure, coming away with some good looks before Deptula scored the game winner. Deptula dribbled the ball down the middle of the field and after a pass from Ambree Ako, Deptula and Lenham collided going for the ball, with Deptula coming away free towards the net.
UCSB remains on the road next weekend. The Gauchos will play at Arizona State on Friday, and Arizona on Saturday.
