The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine soccer team was picked to finish second in the preseason Western Athletic Conference poll, voted on by the league’s coaches.

Three Rainbow Wahine: senior forward Ambree Ako, junior midfielder Mari Punzal and junior defender Chelsea Deptula were named to the preseason all-WAC team.
Defending regular-season champion Utah State was picked to finish first, receiving five first-place votes and 61 points. Hawai‘i collected two first-place votes and 53 points for second place and Fresno State, the 2008 WAC Tournament champion, was third with two votes and 49 points. Boise State (45 points) was fourth, followed by Nevada (39), San Jose State (28), Louisiana Tech (21), Idaho (15) and New Mexico State (13).
The Rainbow Wahine will play an exhibition match against Pearl City United August 18, at 7 p.m., at Waipi‘o Penninsula Soccer Stadium, before opening their season vs. Brigham Young on Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.