GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Shawn Higa overcame several injuries early in her career, and she earned a starting spot this season.

Puttin’ on the hurt

Injuries have not stopped Shawn Higa
from playing soccer at a higher lever

Shawn Higa's soccer career has been marked by long periods of inactivity.

She remained resolute about overcoming injuries. The patience and hours of rehabilitation have paid off.

A starting defender in the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine revamped back line, Higa walked on at UH after not playing her last two years at Leilehua.

She missed her junior year with the Mules after breaking the right femur bone (one of four bones comprising the hip joint) in a collision with another player.

Higa recovered from that injury, started playing club soccer with the Honolulu Bulls, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee the day before practice started at Leilehua her senior season.

The secondary education major knew all along she was going to Hawaii, but wasn't sure she would play soccer. Bulls director of coaching Phil Neddo put in a good word for her with UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing and Higa decided to walk on.

She redshirted her first season in 2003.

"I was able to work out with the Wahine, but the big thing was they introduced me to the gym. I got to work on my leg muscles," said Higa. "It wasn't until this past summer that I really felt I was back to where I was before the injuries."

She saw limited, but valuable action in 11 matches a year ago, usually as an outside defender. Her first match was against Pacific on Aug. 29, 2004.

"My heart was racing so fast. I think I wanted to throw up. I was so nervous," said Higa. "The girls (opponents) come at you so fast. Ten feet away, you could feel the pressure. It was definitely very different from high school."

She survived, learned and earned a starting job this year. A slender 5-foot-4, Higa has to deal with bigger opposing strikers most of the time. Her quickness and speed help, but she will take her lumps.

"That is definitely part of the game. If you don't get hit, then you are not playing the game hard enough," said Higa, who came flying out of one battle against Brigham Young on Monday with an airborne forward roll.

"I always know my teammates are backing me up.

"I still have doubts in my head. I second-guess everything. I replay matches over and over in my head. It's like watching a movie over and over. I see the mistakes and I drill it into my head not to do that again. In the last game BYU killed us with the blind-side (strikers sneaking behind the defense) run. I'll be ready for that."

Higa thinks she earned her starting berth. It was her goal this year and she sees it as a reward for watching and learning the past two seasons.

"Shawn is coming off a severe injury and this is the first year she has been out in full bloom. She is exceedingly coachable," said Tenzing.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate her presence on the field. She does some organization in the back and is a key on defense."

Higa thinks the Wahine philosophy of counter-attacking with any player from anywhere on the field is exciting.

"I can see how it works and we're catching on slowly. It's going to take time," said Higa, who has no qualms about being verbal on the field.

"I don't mind letting my teammates know what is going on. It has to be that way," said Higa. "My back line listens and it's good and they tell me not to worry if I yell. And, they will yell at me."

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Schedule: Today, Hawaii vs. Pepperdine, 7 p.m.; Tomorrow, Eastern Michigan vs. Pepperdine, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Hawaii vs. Eastern Michigan

Where: Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Stadium

Radio/TV: None

Admission/Parking: Free

Series records: Pepperdine has won all three matches against Hawaii

Last meeting: The Wahine lost 5-1 at Pepperdine, Sept. 8, 2000

Notes: The Waves have two players from Hawaii, Ashlee Doi, a junior defender from Mililani, and Kelsey Baker, a freshman defender from Punahou.