All the buzz surrounding the return of Olympian Natasha Kai made for an exciting game that didn't mean much beyond bragging rights.

The current and former Rainbow Wahine played to a 2-2 draw in the University of Hawai'i women's soccer alumnae game last night at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Although Kai didn't score, she gave the 723 fans enough reasons to cheer, dazzling with her speed and creating numerous chances with her athleticism and leaping ability.

"It was awesome," Kai said. "It was fun. I was a little frustrated but we got goals and that was what the crowd wanted."

Judging by the fans who rushed her after the game for autographs and pictures — and remained nearly an hour after — they appreciated her just for being there.

"It was an extreme delight to see all the kids," Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "It was almost like a first practice (for the alumnae). I was delighted for the younger kids to play as well as they did."

Tenzing held out the starters, giving the second string much-needed playing time.

The game was scoreless at the half, with both teams having chances but none dangerous.

Alumnae Joelle Sugai scored first when she finished a shot off a flick off Kai's head, leaving her the open 18-yard box in the 51st minute.

"It was nice playing on familiar ground again," said Sugai, a former captain and all-conference player. "It was good to see old teammates. All and all it was fun."

Alumnae Adria Campbell made it 2-0 on an assist from Missy Moore, who remained onside after a through ball from Shari Nishikawa forced the Rainbow Wahine defense to try to catch the alumnae offside.

Moore chased the ball to the endline on the right side and crossed it to Campbell, who finished the play with one touch into the goal in the 58th minute.

"It just felt good," Campbell said. "It was nice to be back in front of the fans in Waipi'o."

Two minutes later freshman midfielder Rachel Domingo gave the Rainbow Wahine their first goal after Kelli-Anne Chang flicked the ball to space for Domingo.

"It felt good ... because they are all respectable players ... you dream to score against players like that," said Domingo, whose sister Jessica finished her eligibility last season after an all-conference career.

Midfielder Kelsie Look tied it 2-2 when she drove down the sideline and lofted a shot over goalkeeper Amanda Paterson with five minutes left in the game.

"It was relieving," Look said. "Because we didn't want to lose to the alumnae."