Thursday, September 3, 1998
Wahine more optimistic
By Al Chase
than ever
Star-BulletinThe quest for more speed has been addressed. The need for much better conditioning has been met. Ten new players have joined the ranks.
It is time for the University of Hawaii women's soccer team to test the lessons learned during 18 weeks of spring practice and three more this fall.
Coach Pinsoom Tenzing said the Wahine made tremendous gains during the spring when six returning freshman and veterans were indoctrinated to his style of play.
"The appreciation has carried over to the fall and the new people are picking it up rapidly," Tenzing said.
"We constantly drummed into them that we need to make the next play as easy as possible for our teammates. Our team this year will keep the ball on the ground and in my opinion that's the easiest way of making the game as simple as possible."
The Wahine haven't abandoned the high, chancy ball, reserving that for the goal area at the attacking end of the field.
At last year's season-ending banquet, Tenzing issued a challenge to his players. He told them he felt the team had enough depth for him to demand they meet certain conditioning requirements or else.
Two years ago, one player passed the test, last year it was two. This fall 12 met the requirements.
"We are the in the best condition ever, which lends itself to fulfilling tactical desires," Tenzing said.
The coach plans to rotate four strikers -- sophomore Dawn Dasher, freshmen Veronica Flores and Kelly Keohen and junior Nikki Kamakura. Sophomore Megan Lytle, who has a devastating left foot, could also move up from her left midfielder position at times.
"I feel we can rotate the strikers and keep them fresh without losing anything in terms of quality of play," Tenzing said.
Last year's top goal scorer with four, senior Tricia Nishikawa, will be the center midfielder, while freshman Jennifer Starsiak has earned the right midfielder's job.
Junior Wendy Miyashiro, co-captain along with senior goalkeeper Amanda Paterson, will operate from deep center midfield.
Senior Tui Moe returns to anchor the back line. Junior Valerie Marciel, sophomores Malia Beter, Carmel Hurley and Leila Wai and freshman Erin Schremser are battling to fill the other positions.
Beter, Hurley, Flores and freshmen midfielder Liane Watanabe and junior midfielder Kammie Aguada all are hampered by pulled muscles and questionable this weekend.
Paterson, who had off-season surgery on her right knee, is probable, but the Wahine have sophomore goalkeeper Demarre Sanchez, who played well filling on for Paterson a year ago.
One thing the UH coaches installed during spring practice was the flat back defense. There isn't a sweeper as such although defenders away from the ball can fill that role. This system requires a lot of coordination and a better reading of the game by the defenders.
"This is a tremendous thing to expect from young players, but the idea is to put lots of pressure on the ball and move up (the field)," Tenzing said.
Hopefully better ball control, added speed, top conditioning and the melding of 10 new players with the returnees will solve one glaring problem of a year ago --putting the ball in the back of the net.
"We've faced every season with a lot of optimism, but we've never been more optimistic than this year," Tenzing said. "I think people will be surprised."
The Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Wahine Soccer Festival starts tomorrow night at 7 when Cal State University Northridge plays St. Mary's (Calif.) at Ala Wai Field.
UH (7-12-1 a year ago) opens Saturday against CSU Northridge (2-16) at 7 p.m. and takes on St. Mary's (4-15) Sunday at 7.
Sophomore midfielder Heather Mendez will not play this year due to her academic schedule. Freshman recruit Tiffany Makue will join the team in January.
Assisting Tenzing this year are Kathy Carey, Andie Masanda and Hee Yong Woo.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Wahine FestivalCal State Northridge vs. St. Mary's: Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
