Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Saturday, September 2, 2000
It took time for the University of Hawaii Wahine soccer team to get warmed up last night. Hawaii overcomes
a slow start to
win openerBy Al Chase
Star-BulletinOnce they did, the Wahine sandwiched two goals around one by Northern Arizona in a span of 5 minutes in the first half, then spent the rest of the match creating chances without scoring.
The 2-1 Hawaii victory came in the opener of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
"They didn't look ready to play," said Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "We really looked out of sorts and that's a concern because a good team can put you away in 15 minutes."
The dynamics changed quickly when Hawaii's Tiffany Makue took a free kick from the left side, about 30 yards out. The sophomore midfielder lofted a ball to the right that found a streaking Malia Beter. Her head shot just did duck in under the crossbar at 17:32.
"It was a nice kick, a floater. I wouldn't have heard the end of it if I didn't put it away," said Beter, a senior midfielder.
The lead didn't last long as the Lumberjacks leading scorer, Raegin Eyre, netted Kelly Flowers corner kick at 20:34.
For the second time this year, the Wahine defense looked suspect on a corner kick and Erye took advantage with an 8-yarder that left UH goalkeeper Demarre Sanchez little chance to make a stop.
"We don't always have the right people in there to defend on corner kicks," Tenzing said. "There's nothing we can do about that. Hopefully we'll all be ready for the big dance in October."
However, two minutes later, Megan Lytle's blistering shot attempt rattled around the Northern Arizona defense to Kalena Eaton. All she had to do was push the ball into an open goal from a yard out.
It was Lytle's 11th career assist, a school record.
Eaton, a freshman midfielder from Baldwin High School, played up front most of her career before moving to midfield with her HYSA team last year.
"I like to get up there in an open position," said Eaton, who doesn't shy away from attacking when the opportunity is there.
In the second half, the Wahine outshot the Lumberjacks, 10-2. NAU goalkeeper Erin Beckman had to make excellent diving saves on breakaways by Veronica Flores and Lytle. At the other end, Sanchez had the wind knocked out of her on a diving save against Eyre just inside the 18-yard line.
The UH defense managed to control and clear the ball until Sanchez caught her breath and retreated to the goal mouth.
"We needed to put away some of the wonderful opportunities we created. Those were easy goals," said Tenzing.
Northern Arizona plays Oregon State tonight at 7:30. Hawaii takes on the Beavers tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Wahine 2, Lumberjacks 1
Northern Arizona 1 0--1 Hawaii 2 0--2 UH: Malia Beter (Tiffany Makue), 17:32.
NA: Reagin Eyre (Lindsey O'Dell), 20:34.
UH: Kalena Eaton (Megan Lytle), 23:05.
Shots-UH 17, NA 6. Saves-UH 4, NA23. Corner kicks-UH 7, NA 3. Fouls-UH 15, NA 15. Offsides-UH 3, NA 2. A-723..
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
