Wednesday, September 23, 1998

Miyashiro driving
force for Wahine

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Don't be fooled when you watch junior midfielder Wendy Miyashiro run and work and challenge taller opponents for head balls or take on physically bigger opponents with successful tackles in the open field.

It's no surprise to see her stymie the opposing offense one minute, then feed a pass to a teammate for a shot on goal the next.

As one former University of Hawaii Wahine soccer teammate said recently, "She's everywhere and I don't know how she does it."

It wasn't always that way for Miyashiro, the middle of three soccer-playing sisters from Aiea. When she walked on at UH the difference in the speed of the game and the conditioning required between high school and college was glaringly conspicuous.

Miyashiro became a believer in conditioning.

"You can't keep getting slaughtered because you can't play any more," she said.

A sports psychologist's discussion with the team about a healthy diet and feeling better also impressed Miyashiro. She's a vegetarian most of the year, especially in season.

Last summer she took the initiative and organized regular training sessions for some local players, including those intending to try out this season.

She even asked UH head coach Pinsoom Tenzing for the newcomers' telephone numbers.

Tenzing noted the dedication and acceptance of responsibility. When it was time to appoint captains for the 1998 season, he selected Miyashiro and senior goalkeeper Amanda Paterson.

"She worked herself and a platoon of others," Tenzing said. "We are as good as we are because of her industriousness last summer."

Listed at 5 feet in the media guide, Miyashiro says she is 5 feet, three-quarters of an inch tall in her bare feet. She doesn't dwell on the fact most opponents are taller or see it as a disadvantage.

"Except when I have to mark someone on a corner kick," she said with an engaging smile and chuckle. "Then I look for someone more my height."

Although Miyashiro is surprised and happy at the 5-0 Wahine start, she sensed early that this season would be different from last year.

"After the first day of practice when we did Coopers (Dr. Coopers' physical fitness test of completing 716 laps around the UH track in 12 minutes) and 10 people passed, I felt really good right after that. I knew there was going to be a change," Miyashiro said.

"This year there is healthy competition. Everyone wants playing time and they know they have to work to get it."

Junior defender Valerie Marciel also enjoyed that positive feeling.

"I knew we had a good team because everyone gets along really well. We just all work as a team, not individually and that really helps this year," she said. "Everyone is utilized. We don't have a 'go to' person because everyone is equally talented."

The Wahine will try to extend their two-season, six-match winning streak this weekend. Hawaii plays Idaho State (1-4-1) tomorrow in the Sacramento Tournament, then meets host Sacramento State (3-3) Sunday morning.

---

1998 UH Wahine Soccer Schedule

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu