After a tough non-conference schedule, the University of Hawai'i women's soccer team is ready to begin anew with the start of the Western Athletic Conference season.

The champion of the WAC tournament in early November receives an NCAA Tournament berth — which would be Hawai'i's first if it wins it — but the Rainbow Wahine must first focus on winning games.

"That's down the line, first we need to qualify for the WAC championships," Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "Then we'll concentrate on winning the championship."

The Rainbow Wahine (3-6-2) open their conference season tonight against Idaho at 7 p.m. at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. They play Boise State Sunday at 5 p.m.

"Their spirits are good," said Tenzing. "We had some tough games. I think they did as well as expected with all their injuries. Now they have to turn their predicament around for the WAC season."

Junior midfielder/forward Adria Campbell, the team leader with four assists, missed two of the past three games because of a sprained ankle, but is expected to play.

Starting central midfielders Jessica Domingo and Gabina Bohlman are "still about 60 to 70 percent," after suffering knee sprains in the first game of the season, Tenzing said.

And freshman forward Taryn Fukuroku has a stiff neck and "is suspect."

Defenders Krisha Kai, "still limping" from a previous knee injury, and Lehua Wood, who strained her right quadriceps muscle, are also suffering from injuries.

The Rainbow Wahine were the preseason favorites to win the conference, but Tenzing doesn't know how they will fare.

"I'll have a better idea after we play the two games this weekend, because we'll be steeped into the season," Tenzing said. "There's always pressure, but I've said it when we were not seeded, that it means nothing, preseason means nothing."

Both Idaho teams have tough travel schedules this week, with Idaho playing Hawai'i tonight and flying to California to play San Jose State Sunday. Boise State is doing the reverse, playing the Spartans today and the Rainbow Wahine Sunday.

It has been a tough non-conference road for Idaho as well. The Vandals are 2-9-0, including losing their last seven games. They are led by junior forward Jenny Springer, who scored four goals.

"Just like us, they've been struggling in non-conference games," Tenzing said.

Boise State, which includes Punahou grad Alli Tsuchida and Mililani alum Liane "Annie" Tom, has fared better with a 6-4-2 record, the second best non-conference record for a WAC team. Junior midfielder Nicole Coleman has four goals and three assists for the Broncos, who will host the WAC Tournament.

"Boise State has a relatively better record than us," Tenzing said. "But conference is conference, every team plays with a different level of energy."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.