Wednesday, November 3, 1999

NCAA berth
within reach
for Wahine

The UH women's soccer team
needs two WAC playoff victories
to gain an automatic bid

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Competing for the Western Athletic Conference tournament title is unparalleled for the University of Hawaii women's soccer program.

Regulated to last place in the WAC coaches preseason poll, the Wahine produced their best finish ever, a tie for second, in their fourth conference campaign. They ended the regular season by winning seven of their last eight matches.

The challenge they face in Dallas, site of the playoffs, is tough, but not insurmountable.

"It's something we've worked for all season long," Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing said.

"Win two games and we get an automatic invitation to the NCAA's. It's within reach.

"It's a matter of the kids being up for the games. We're as good as any of those teams."

Fresno State plays San Jose State in tomorrow's first semifinal round match, followed by host Southern Methodist against Hawaii.

The Hawaii players know they must play much better this time against No. 19 SMU or their first excursion to the tournament will be a short one.

"SMU is first, so they're the toughest. Once we get past them, then the next team we play is going to be the toughest," said senior midfielder and co-captain Wendy Miyashiro.

"We can't afford to look forward. We know how to play and we have to take care of it this time. It's the biggest game of our lives. They can be beaten."

Two weeks ago the Lady Mustangs (13-5-1) blanked visiting UH, 2-0, on goals by Tara Comfort and Laura Snyder.

"We saw what we have to do, but they haven't seen what they have to do because we didn't play well against them. Hopefully we'll give them something they don't expect," said junior Wahine defender Camille Kalama.

"We didn't play our game. We needed to take care of two people (Comfort and Snyder) and we didn't. They killed us."

Since clinching a playoff berth, Tenzing has used practice to identify the players who will be responsible to carry out the assignment of stopping the Lady Mustangs' scoring threats.

"It's one thing for our players to listen to me talk about a team from scouting reports," Tenzing said. "It's a huge benefit to have seen a team. We've talked about it, they have experienced it and I think they will be better prepared."

"We going to have to mark their key players. I mean totally marking them. They are extremely fast," said midfielder Malia Beter.

"We have to play together and keep our heads up."

The Lady Mustangs have not surrendered a goal in their last four matches. They have shut out 10 opponents this season behind the goaltending of Becca Lief.

SMU has scored 33 goals on 301 shots (.110 shooting percentage). Of those 301 shots, 156 were on goal (.518).

Hawaii (12-6-1) has the same percentage, hitting on 27 of 245 shots, but only 110 were on goal (.449). The Wahine managed just five shots against the Lady Mustangs in the regular-season match.

Fresno State (13-4-2) vs. San Jose State (12-6-1): The teams opened the WAC season with a 0-0 tie at Fresno.

That result came in the middle of FSU's 12-match unbeaten streak that ended last Friday with a home loss to San Diego, 1-0.

The Spartans had the best away record (7-1-2) during the regular season. The Bulldogs were 6-3-1.

SJSU won its last three WAC matches, including two on the road, to qualify for the playoffs.

Jennifer Mescher is the Spartans top scorer (7 goals, 7 assists).

Fresno State is led by Jill Pearson (11 goals, 4 assists).

Tenzing predicts a victory for San Jose State.