UH's Fukuroku glad she stayed home

Coach Tenzing likes the Maui product's passing and control

Taryn Fukuroku was nervous, her stomach full of butterflies when she found out she was starting for the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine in the season opener against Washington.

This despite saying her first goal entering her sophomore season was to be a starter.

OUTRIGGER HOTELS & RESORTS CLASSIC Schedule: Today, Hawaii vs. Kent State, 7 p.m.; tomorrow, Winthrop vs. Kent State, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Hawaii vs. Winthrop, 5 p.m. Where: Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Stadium Admission/Parking: Free Series record: UH is playing the visiting teams for the first time.

"I had no idea what Washington was about. It was like going in blind. It took me about 15 minutes to settle down," said Fukuroku, who was paired with freshman Ambree Ako at the striker positions.

The Maui High School graduate and 2005 Star-Bulletin All-State selection was the only freshman to see action in all 20 UH games a year ago. She did get three starting assignments, scored one goal and had one assist.

Fukuroku said the transition to the college ranks was hard, yet she enjoyed the season.

"The competition on Maui is not that good. Here you are playing with better people. You have to get used to the quickness of the game and the field of play," Fukuroku said.

At 5-foot-2, Fukuroku will rarely go against a defender her size. She says the other teams' girls are huge and if she hits the ground it's part of the game.

"I'm still going after the ball and whatever happens will happen," she said.

Fukuroku has been playing soccer since age 5, following two older brothers into the AYSO program. She also played point guard for the Sabers and, at one point, liked basketball better than soccer.

In fact, her athletic highlight she remembers most was accomplished on the hardwood.

"We were playing Lahainaluna my junior year and were down by 15 points in the third quarter. We came back to win it in overtime," Fukuroku said. "I had something like 25 points in that game."

But, when it came to picking a college and continuing to be a student-athlete, soccer offered the best opportunity.

Fukuroku visited Portland State, where former Maui teammate Kari Otani is playing, and San Francisco where one of her brothers matriculated.

"I wanted to go away, but both schools said I would be a recruited walk-on. UH gave me a scholarship," Fukuroku said. "Now I'm kind of happy that I stayed home. I get to go back to Maui a lot more and I like being in Hawaii."

Fukuroku played in a 2-4-4 system for the Sabers, and UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing liked what he saw.

"I saw her on Maui and Taryn is a pure soccer player," said Tenzing, who has the Wahine playing the same system.

"She is very deft in dealing the ball, her control is fabulous and she runs well with the ball and without it. She has a decent shot, but just needs to calm down in front of the goal posts."

Fukuroku has no special pregame routine, is not superstitious, just puts her uniform on, laces up her shoes and is ready to go.

She has not declared a major yet, but is leaning toward physical therapy.