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ANDIE Masanda, University of Hawaii women's soccer graduate assistant coach the past two years, has left the program for new challenges in Texas. Masanda bids aloha
to UH soccer teamShe received her master's degree in Educational Administration May 14 and has been accepted into a teachers certification program for special education in Dallas.
"Ultimately, my goal is to be the principal of an elementary school," Masanda said.
She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in psychology in 1997.
During her soccer career with the Razorbacks, Masanda earned All-Central Region and All-Southeastern Conference tournament honors.
She will continue coaching with her former club team, the Dallas Sting, and would like to coach at the high school level.
Andie is married to former UH baseball player Daren Masanda.
She came here after his senior season to attend graduate school while he completed his undergraduate work.
Her first job as a graduate student was supervising study hall for the baseball team and working in the coach's office.
"I learned a lot from Coach Les (Murakami). I was always asking questions. I wanted to be a sponge," Masanda said.
She wasn't sure soccer was in her future, but took the volunteer coaching position with the Wahine when it opened up.
She worked with the UH goalkeepers and admitted that was a challenge since she didn't play that position in college.
Masanda also ran the summer camp, did clinics, coached under-16 girls and was a staff coach for under 9-10 girls with the Bulls Soccer Club.
She credits UH head coach Pinsoom Tenzing and assistant coach Kathy Carey with expanding her knowledge base.
"I learned a lot from them. It helped me develop my own philosophy," Masanda said.
"I have a lot more to learn, but I liked my time in Hawaii. The main thing was I got my education paid for.
"I'm a firm believer in faith and everything has fallen into place. My time here helped me learn who I was. I'm very grateful to the University."
Real Madrid won the European Cup a record eighth time yesterday with a 3-0 victory over Spanish rival Valencia. It was the first time teams from the same country were in the final in the 45-year history of Europe's most prestigious club tournament.
Major League Soccer's decision not to apply to the U.S. Soccer Federation to operate a women's league, but to cooperate with the Women's United Soccer Association, is smart and a blessing for the sport. The last thing soccer needed in this country was two groups battling each other over control of a women's league.
The WUSA has signed the top players, has $40 million in investment money and will have matches on cable television.
It's a win-win situation for both organizations.
The world champion United States women's soccer team will play in the Pacific Cup, Wednesday through June 11, in Australia. Also in the eight-team tournament are China, the runner-up at the 1996 Olympics, and the '99 World Cup to the Americans, host Australia, Canada, Scotland, Japan, New Zealand and North Korea.
The U.S. team is in a group with Japan, Scotland and Australia. The first match is against Japan May 31 in Canberra. The Americans play Australia June 2 and Scotland June 4 in Sydney.
The draw for the Olympics is June 3.
