Monday, September 7, 1998

UH Wahine (2-0)
strike early, often

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The frustrating problem in the past of creating scoring opportunities, but all too often failing to complete the task with a goal may have been solved by the 1998 University of Hawaii women's soccer team this weekend.

Showing an increased ability to move the ball around the field effectively, the Wahine scored four first-half goals to defeat St. Mary's College (Calif.), 4-1, last night at Ala Wai Field.

Combined with Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Cal State Northridge, Hawaii (2-0) leaves today on its first road trip as champion of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Wahine Soccer Festival.

Dawn Dasher, a 5-foot-2 sophomore striker, scored two goals and added an assist last night for five points, a UH match record.

Dasher, who didn't play much as a freshman, made a commitment to herself last summer.

"I decided I was going to be in shape," she said. "I spent the last six weeks of summer training and running. I just set my mind that I was going to be the one up front that Pinsoom (coach Tenzing) could count on whenever we needed a goal."

The manner in which the Wahine scored their first goal makes coaches smile.

The ball, bottled up on the left side, was passed back to junior defender Valerie Marciel, who controlled with one touch and passed toward Dasher at midfield. With freshman striker Jennifer Starsiak yelling "let" (it go) on the right, Dasher barely flicked the ball on. Starsiak, with her back to the goal, spun around her defender and beat the Gaels' goalkeeper with a low shot inside the left post 21/2 minutes into the match.

More crisp passing from sophomore Megan Lytle to Starsiak to Dasher set up the Festival MVP's first goal at 17:45. Minutes later, Lytle, who will take most of UH's free kicks around the penalty box, ripped one low and hard off the left post. Dasher followed with a header for her second goal and third of the young season.

"I thought we played exceeding well Saturday night," Tenzing said. "(Tonight) The quality of play goes down when you get up 4-0 in the first half, but I'm happy. We're moving the ball well."

The Wahine appeared confident challenging for balls, more than willing to contest head balls though rarely enjoying a height advantage and seemingly comfortable with a new defense system.

Saturday marked the first time they have won their opening match in the five years soccer has been a varsity sport at UH.

Freshman defender Erin Schremser suffered a light sprain of her right ankle last night, but says she'll make the road trip.

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu