Thursday, November 8, 2001
Hawaii in The first hat trick in history and the most goals ever scored in a match by the Wahine powered Hawaii to a 7-1 win over Boise State in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference women's soccer tournament yesterday in Dallas.
WAC semis
No. 2 seed Rice is up next
Star-Bulletin staff
The No. 4 seeded Wahine (9-9) play No. 2 seed Rice (7-8) today with the winner advancing to Saturday's title match.
"It was an awesome display. I said we played 20 to 25 minutes of solid soccer to start the match in Boise. We did it for 90 minutes today," Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing said.
"We played all 21 kids we brought here. I knew they can do it. It was a matter of putting the balls away early when the opportunities are there."
Senior striker Veronica Flores hit the back of the net three times in the first half to help UH to a 4-1 lead at intermission.
Flores one-timed a centering pass from Jennifer Starsiak for her first goal at 5:47.
She pooched a floater over goalkeeper Jeanne Orm at 25:41 after Devitt headed a ball past two defenders into space and put a centering pass on Flores' right foot at the top of the penalty box. Then, on a Krystalynn Ontai cross from the left, Flores controlled the ball near the far post and drilled a right-foot shot into the top of the net at 40:16.
In between Flores' first and second goals, Arlene Devitt tapped in a centering pass by Joelle Sugai from the left flank at 11:03 and Boise State (10-17-1) got its goal when Dayle NcNabb scored at 17:20.
Pam Fong got UH off to a quick start in the second half when she left-footed a shot into the net at 47:16 following a perfect centering pass from Devitt.
Passes up field by Sasha Araya-Schraner and Sugai allowed Devitt to score her second goal of the match and a school-record 12th of the season from 25 yards out at 58:17.
Redshirt freshman Wendi Young, playing just her second match of the season, took a long pass from Wanette Miyashiro, and lofted a shot over Orm's head for the final Wahine tally at 79:47.
The seven UH goals ties a WAC tournament single-match record and is the most ever surrendered by the Broncos.
"The defense was absolutely solid. Araya-Schraner had one of her best games and Liz Lusk was phenomenal," said Tenzing. "I have a lot of wonderful kids who can step in and do wonderful things. My only concern against Rice is kids have highs and lows and I don't want to see a low."
In the other first-round match, Fresno State edged Tulsa, 3-2, when Kaiser graduate Erin Sayegusa scored the winning goal at 82:49. The Bulldogs play No. 1 seed Southern Methodist today.
Senior outside right back Carmel Hurley and sophomore striker Arlene Devitt were named first-team all-Western Athletic Conference yesterday. Devitt, Hurley on
WAC first teamIt is the first time Hurley has been cited by the conference. Devitt was a second-team selection a year ago.
Hurley started all 17 regular-season matches this year. She hounded opposing strikers with her aggressive defense and speed, and made numerous full-field runs with the ball to augment the offense. She also scored her first three goals, all in WAC matches.
Devitt led UH with 10 goals and three assists. A dynamic shooter with either foot, she had the second best on goal shooting percentage (.167) among the starters.
Player of the Year honors went to Southern Methodist senior striker Tara Comfort. SMU midfielder Jill Heinemann was selected Freshman of the Year.
Coach of the Year honors went to Chris Huston, who guided the first-year Rice Owls to a tie for second-place in the WAC standings.
Al Chase, Star-Bulletin
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
