It wasn’t the turf.

After the Hawaii soccer team was shut out for the first time in the 2023 season in a 1-0 loss at UC Riverside on Sunday, Rainbow Wahine coach Michele Nagamine would not put the defeat on her squad's first experience of the season on an artificial surface.

“The challenge was actually playing an opponent, who is tough be beat at home, who was rested and didn’t play on Thursday night,” Nagamine messaged Spectrum News after the loss dropped UH to 2-3-3 overall and 1-1-1 in conference play.

“Gotta love the Big West. We were a step behind in the first half because they came out on fire but (we) definitely re-grouped for second half. Riverside is technical, explosive and high pressure and it took us too long to get to adjust to their speed of play. We grew up a lot tonight.”

UH was coming off a 1-1 draw at Cal State Fullerton on Thursday but could not come away with a result on both legs of its road trip. UCR’s Amelie Araya had the game-winner on a header off a set piece assist from Spenser Gonzales in the 31^st minute.

The teams were relatively even in ball control in the defensive duel with eight shots apiece. Forward Krista Peterson led the Wahine with three shots, including one on goal.

The Wahine are tied for second in the conference with four points after two weekends of league play. UCR (2-5-4 overall) didn’t have a win until BWC play began but now leads the way with its 2-0 conference record and six points toward the six-team postseason tournament.

UH hosts UC San Diego (1-5-3, 0-0-1) on Thursday followed by UC Irvine (3-4-3, 0-0-2) on Sunday.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.