Thursday, November 5, 1998
Wahine look
By Al Chase
ahead to 1999
Star-BulletinThe 1998 Hawaii women's soccer team fashioned the first winning season in the program's five-year history, but missed reaching one goal Wahine head coach Pinsoom Tenzing thought was attainable before the season began. The task of qualifying for the Western Athletic Conference playoffs has been willed to next year's squad. The 1999 team could have 18 returnees, baring academic casualties or defections. Most of the 18 saw considerable playing time this past season.
"Overall, our ambition was not only to go to the WAC, but to win it," Tenzing said. "It may sound preposterous after the BYU match (a 7-0 loss), but I still felt it was possible because of the home games. We gave it away at home. It was a huge letdown."
Despite the disappointment, which Tenzing has not tried to hide the past two weeks, he has turned his focus to 1999. The recruiting priorities are established.
A goalkeeper is needed since only Demarre Sanchez returns next season. All-time leading goal scorer Tricia Nishikawa is gone. Tenzing and assistant coach Cathy Carey will be busy showing potential recruits the program's good points the next two months.
"A striker is of the utmost concern. Right now we have two interested. We'll know in February (when letters of intent can be signed)," Tenzing said.
A goalkeeper and two midfielders are scheduled for recruiting visits.
The Wahine appeared in West Regional polls for a couple of weeks this past season, one part of creating respectability. The recruiting results the past two years have been solid, but Tenzing points to two facts that affect recruiting.
When UH went to a collegiate schedule, there were more than 130 established NCAA Division I programs seeking talent. And, the top 20 programs have little trouble signing the best players.
Not playing in a fan-friendly facility on campus doesn't help. Yet, the fan support the program receives at Ala Wai Field with its limited parking is refreshing and hopefully a harbinger of better recruiting results once matches are played on campus.
If positive recruiting continues, then the goal of being in postseason play could be realized in 1999.
"We have 15 or 16 returnees who are starting material," Tenzing said. "That made for a huge juggling act this past season and it means the competition for starting positions will be much keener next year.
"The principal reason for that is soccer demands conditioning and we'll demand even more next year. If we have turned the corner as a program, it's because of this aspect.
"When you have team physical fitness, then the next step is to develop a team style. This may be the most difficult thing for the new girls. They may play well and be talented, but they have to subscribe to our style. That's why we see 100 percent of the kids we try to recruit now.
"For the first time, the coaches and players all are on the same page. I'm ready for next season."
The success of 1998 (11 victories, first two wins over WAC foes, increased offense, seven shutouts) indicates the foundation is there for continued progress.
UH Wahine
Final statistics
G A Pts Tricia Nishikawa 9 5 23 Dawn Dasher 6 2 14 Megan Lytle 2 6 10 Wendy Miyashiro 2 5 9 Jennifer Starsiak 3 3 9 Nikki Kamakura 3 1 7 Tui Moe 3 1 7 Erin Schremser 1 2 4 Kelly Keohen 1 1 3 Kammie Aguada 1 0 2 Camille Kalama 1 0 2 Malia Beter 0 2 2 Veronica Flores 0 1 1 Valerie Marciel 0 1 1 Leila Wai 0 1 1
1998 UH Wahine Soccer Schedule
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
