Saturday, September 4, 1999

Wahine open with win
over Sea Warriors

WAHINE PLAYBOOK

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii women's soccer team accomplished something in the season opener against Hawaii Pacific they had rarely done in practice.

The Wahine put the finishing touch on goal-scoring opportunities - four times, in fact.

The 4-1 victory came in the season opener for both teams in front of 227 fans at the UH Soccer Field.

The fourth goal ended a year of frustration for sophomore striker Veronica Flores. She probably hit the cross bar six times and was just wide left and right several other times as a freshman.

Yesterday she corralled a poor HPU goal kick and slammed a shot off the outside of her right foot just under the cross bar.

"It's good to break the ice. We had a lot of movement from the midfield and it will get better with practice," Flores said.

Sophomore striker Jennifer Starsiak shot twice with her left foot in the first half and both efforts found net from 20 yards out.

The first came from the right side and swerved into the upper left-hand corner. Then, with her back to the goal, Starsiak took Wendy Miyashiro's pass, turned and sent a grounder just inside the left post for her second score.

"We got the ball on offense more and had good opportunities, but we need to work on talking more," Starsiak said.

UH's third goal was the result of sophomore midfielder Kelly Keohen altering the course of a bouncing ball just enough to roll past a diving Carissa Manangan.

"We had our moments, but didn't do what was necessary," HPU head coach Mark Kane said.

Hawaii Pacific	0	1 - 1
Hawaii		2	2 - 4

UH: Jennifer Starsiak (Malia Beter), 14:11.

UH: Starsiak (Wendy Miyashiro), 23:17.

UH: Kelly Keohen (unassisted), 69:00.

HPU: Jannicke Snildal (penalty kick), 74:00.

UH: Veronica Flores (unassisted), 85:00.

Shots-HPU: 7, UH: 15. Corner kicks-HPU 3, UH: 4. Fouls-HPU: 5, UH: 7.

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WAHINE PLAYBOOK

vs. St. Mary's Gaels

Coaches: St. Mary's, Paul Ratcliffe, 2nd season (7-12, .368). UH, Pinsoom Tenzing, 6th season (31-52-5, .381).

Season: St. Mary's (1-0). Hawaii, (1-0)

Series record: St. Mary's leads, 3-2. Hawaii won the last meeting, 4-1, a year ago at Ala Wai Field.

Top players: Start with senior forward Stacy Shaw, who led the Gaels with 7 goals, 4 assists and 19 points last season. The defense is led by senior Jamie Storm, an honorable all-West Coast Conference player as a junior. She is joined by seniors Jennifer Benz and Lori Giacinti. Senior goalkeeper.Nicole Lunceford has recovered from a season-ending shoulder separation in the 12th game against North Carolina in '98 when she posted a 1.51 goals allowed average.

Interesting facts: The Gaels opened their season by defeating visiting Oregon, 3-2, in double overtime. Summer Wilkins scored the game winner in the 107th minute with an assist from KayCee Pfeifer. The juniors each had a goal earlier in the match...Ratcliffe has 19 letter winners and nine starters back. The Gaels were 6-12 a year ago, but had their best West Coast Conference record (3-4) since 1995. They have 20 returnees and nine starters back. Wahine striker Dawn Dasher scored two goals and midfielder Megan Lytle had two assists in last year's UH victory.

Match keys: Ratcliffe is counting on his veteran defense for the experience and leadership.needed if the Gaels are to improve on last year's record. The Wahine need to continue refining their passing game and make the most of their chances against St. Mary's solid defense. Tenzing made use of fresh legs against HPU, but that was possible with an early 2-0 lead. Wahine starters may have to go longer tomorrow after an off day today.

Kickoff: Tomorrow, 4 p.m., UH Soccer Field.

On the air: None.

Tickets: Free admission. $3 parking charge.