Just For Kicks
Gary Cabanilla, Leilani Green and Tiffany Kayama concluded their collegiate careers for California Lutheran last weekend and men's and women's coach Dan Kuntz wants the Hawaii connection to continue. 3 local players finish
careers at Cal Lutheran"The cultural aspects Hawaii players bring to a team are special," Kuntz said. "They are sincere, kind hearted, committed, loyal to who they come to play for and work very hard."
Cabanilla, a senior striker from Kamehameha, led the Kingsmen (8-10-0) in scoring this year with 10 goals.
"Gary worked harder than ever to get prepared for the season," said Kuntz.
"He is very dangerous on set plays because he is so strong and tall (6-foot-2). He has a wicked throw in, about 55 yards. It's like getting a corner kick from any where in the offensive half of the field."
Kuntz said Green, a senior striker from Maui High School, as an extremely intelligent soccer player who creates confusion in the defense and runs well with or without the ball.
"Lani is a diamond in every way she projects herself, no not only in her playing but the way she interacts with her teammates. She is there when needed most. We were very fortunate to have her," said Kuntz.
Green, a second team all-Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference selection as a sophomore and junior, scored three goals and had three assists for the Regals (10-8-1), who finished second in conference play.
Kayama, also from Maui high School, split time in the goal with Pam Clark.
"Tiffany is one of the most dedicated players I've ever had. I don't think she missed more than 15 minutes of practice in her four years here," said Kuntz.
"She isn't as tall or as dominating as some goalkeepers, but she is agile and intelligent. Her distribution of the ball was consistent. When we needed her, it was often in critical situations."
Alana Souza, a freshman midfielder from Baldwin, sat out the early part of the Regals season with a strained right knee, but was impressive when cleared to play.
"That one is 'wow.' We knew Alana could play, but we were being very cautious. It was hard for her," said Kuntz.
"When she began playing she was on fire, first-touch passing as good as we have on the team. Being a left-footed player make her even more dangerous. She is a wonderful talent for the future."
Cal Lutheran is an NCAA Division II school in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Elsewhere
Senior defender Trisha Barbosa had as assist as Williams College defeated Framingham State, 9-0, Wednesday in an NCAA Division III tournament first-round match. Barbosa is a Punahou graduate.
Jessica Catekista, a senior midfielder from Kamehameha, scored her first goal of the season last Sunday to preserve the Regis Rangers undefeated season. She scored at 52:18 in a 1-1 tie with Colorado Christian.
Sean Akamine saw action in all 19 matches for the Puget Sound Loggers (11-7-1). The freshman striker from Punahou scored two goals with 17 shots and recorded two assists.