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Wednesday, February 7, 2001

Garbin has
Bears poised for
title repeat

Top-seeded Baldwin
opens state soccer
defense tomorrow

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By Dana McBratney
Special to the Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU, Maui -- Nicole Garbin of Baldwin High School achieved two lofty goals in 2000. One was expected, the other wasn't.

First, she helped the Bears win their first-ever state soccer title with a 1-0 victory over Pearl City last February. It was the first time a neighbor island team had won the title.

She expected that.

"When we went to the state tournament last year, we all thought we would win it," the Baldwin senior said. "There was no doubt in our minds. We were playing so good. It was unbelievable at times but we were very confident."

Then, Garbin was named Hawaii Player of the Year. That was unexpected.

Garbin, a three-time Maui Interscholastic League Player of the Year, did not score a goal in last year's state tournament. She had scored 21 goals during the regular season.

"I was kind of bummed about that," Garbin said. "I was very surprised when I was named state player of the year. I was glad they saw me contributing in other ways than scoring."

Garbin and Baldwin (12-0-0) will return to the Meadow Gold State Soccer Championships to defend their state title. The Bears drew the top seed and tomorrow will play the winner of today's Kauai (4-1-1)-Kailua (9-2-2) game.

"We are confident about this year," said Garbin, who has scored 16 goals this season. "We did have some trouble during the season, but we really played well in our last MIL game. We got our confidence back and got things going in the right direction."

Garbin knows the spotlight will be on her when Baldwin takes the field.

"Being the state player of the year is fun at times," she said. "But it is also hard because people expect a lot out of you every time you step on the field.

"I have learned from winning this award that I want to set a good example and have a good attitude all the time. I always want to lead by showing a good work ethic in practice. I really concentrate on doing everything the right way in practice."

Baldwin coach Kawika Keator turns to Garbin for leadership on the field.He moved her from defender to middle halfback last year.

"Nicole ... that's our leadership right there," Keator said. "She controls everything in the middle. People have a hard time taking the ball away from her. She is so physically strong but is also quick and fast."

The honor student started playing soccer as a 9-year-old. It didn't take her long to discover she was good at the game.

"Two years after I started playing, I was recruited by a club team," Garbin said. "I played four years with them and just loved it."

But soccer isn't the only game Garbin plays. She is also an outstanding basketball player and was a member of the Baldwin volleyball team.

"I love basketball as much as I do soccer," Garbin said. "I am looking forward to the basketball season after soccer is over. I just love playing sports and love competing. I would like to play soccer and basketball at the college level."

Garbin, who is interested in studying communications in college, is looking to continue her soccer and basketball career at either Oregon State or the University of Hawaii.

But college is in the future.

Right now, she has the state tournament on her mind.

The Bears played second-seeded Pearl City and third-seeded Punahou in preseason action. They beat Pearl City, 1-0, in two overtimes to win the Maui High School preseason tournament. Baldwin tied Punahou, 2-2, in the semifinals of the same tournament but advanced to the finals by the tiebreaker.

"It helps us a lot to have seen Punahou and Pearl City this season," Garbin said. "We will know what to expect. They both are very tough."

Meadow Gold Girls State Soccer Championships Admission and parking at Waipio Soccer Park is free. Admission at Aloha Stadium is $7 for adults and $5 for students (grades K-12). Parking is $2. All AYSO soccer players (6th grade and below) in uniform will be admitted free. Today First round, at Waipio Soccer Park Kauai vs. Kailua, 1:30 p.m., Field 8 Hilo vs. Kahuku, 1:30 p.m., Field 13 Aiea vs. Waiakea, 3:30 p.m., Field 8 King Kekaulike vs. Mililani, 3:30 p.m., Field 13 Tomorrow Quarterfinals, at Waipio Soccer Park, Main Stadium Hawaii Prep vs. Game 3 winner, 1:30 p.m. Baldwin vs. Game 1 winner, 3:30 p.m. Pearl City vs. Game 2 winner, 5:30 p.m. Punahou vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m. Friday At Aloha Stadium Consolation Losers of Games 1 & 3, 9:30 a.m. Losers of Games 2 & 4, 11:30 a.m. Losers of Games 6 & 5, 1:30 p.m. Losers of Games 7 & 8, 3:30 p.m. Semifinals Winners of Games 6 & 5, 5:30 p.m. Winners of Games 7 & 8, 7:30 p.m. Saturday At Aloha Stadium Consolation championship Winners of Games 9 & 10, 1:30 p.m. Fifth place Winners of Games 11 & 12, 3:30 p.m. Third place Losers of Games 13 & 14, 5:30 p.m. Championship Winners of Games 13 & 14, 7:30 p.m.

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Baldwin (12-0-0)

Maui Interscholastic League champion, No. 1 seed, has won one state championship (2000), coach Kawika Keator:

The defending champions are led by an impressive cast of players, including Garbin, the MIL's leading scorer in Shawna Shimamura and Alana Souza, who scored the only goal in last year's championship match.

Shimamura booted 28 goals in the 12 games, and Garbin and freshman Kami Kapak each added 16 scores.

Mahi Atay sparkled in her first year in goal for the Bears.

Pearl City (11-1-0)

Oahu Interscholastic Association champion, No. 2 seed, four championships (most recently in 1997), coach Archie Chung:

Junior Carmen Calpo leads the charge for the league champions, who lost, 1-0, to Baldwin last year in the title game. The Chargers lost again to the Bears in the final of a preseason Maui tournament, 1-0 in double overtime.

Calpo was second in the OIA in scoring with 19 goals, including six in one contest. Freshman reserve Chante Figueroa scored some huge goals during season, including the game-winner in overtime against Kahuku in the OIA Tournament.

Freshman goalkeeper Martina Questel received a lot of help from the entire defense, which gave up just four goals.

The Chargers won their four titles within an eight-year span, beginning in 1990.

Punahou (10-0-2)

Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, No. 3 seed, five championships (most recently in 1998), coach Jorge Barbosa:

The only team in the tournament besides Baldwin without a loss, the Buffanblu boast the ILH's co-leader in scoring.

Sophomore Adria Campbell netted seven goals. Charlene Lui, Lindsay Yuh and Megan Abbott also provide scoring punch.

Sweeper Kristin Hamada and fullback Tiff Taylor are the only senior starters for first-year coach Barbosa.

Freshman goalie Allison Lipsher stepped in and did a good job when the senior starter was injured.

The Buffanblu, who missed last year's tournament, have won more state titles than any other team.

Hawaii Prep (11-1-0)

Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion, No. 4 seed, no championships, coach Stephen Perry:

This veteran team features nine seniors, including six who have played three years in a row.

Senior midfielders Jizelle Yates, who handles free kicks, and Tiana Maple, who is one of the team's lead attackers and ball controllers, are key for Ka Makani.

Goalkeeper Jana Jardine is a first-year starter.

Hawaii Prep prepared for this tournament in the preseason with a schedule that included tourney teams Punahou, Aiea, Kailua and King Kekaulike.

Aiea (10-2-1)

OIA runner-up, no championships, coach Gordon Matsuoka:

Senior Joelle Sugai leads a balanced attack, scoring eight goals in the regular season and adding two more in the OIA Tournament. Sugai makes plays all over the field and has a nose for the ball.

Nadine Manangan and Jody Unten are top defensive players. Sophomore goalie Diana Shiroma is a second-year starter.

This is Aiea's fifth consecutive appearance, with its best finish -- fourth -- coming last year.

Kahuku (10-2)

OIA fourth place, no championships, coach Randy Myers:

This is a dangerous team that won its first 10 games before losing two straight in the OIA Tournament.

Scoring machine Natasha Kai, who tallied 20 goals, gets most of the attention, but Jasmine Ladao and sister, Krisha, also provided major offense.

Junior Nichele Benuska had a big year in goal, helped by defenders Carly Mamizuka and Anna Myers.

Kailua (9-2-2)

OIA fifth place, no championships, coach Wil Kimura:

Sarah Takekawa was one of the leading scorers in the OIA, with 10 goals. She netted five more goals in the OIA Tournament.

Terri Nakata, Carli Yokoi and Rachael Gonzales are all capable of scoring as well.

Senior sweeper Julia Takishita leads a young defensive squad.

Senior goalie Crystal Akana had never played soccer before joining the team last year.

HILO (10-2-0)

BIIF runner-up, no championships, coach Kelsey Hiraishi:

The Vikings, who are in their first state tournament since 1994, have a strong nucleus of eight seniors.

Team leaders include sweeper T.J. Street and midfielders Elizabeth Cross and Jessica Hara.

Hilo rotates two goalies, Kathy Johnston and Cecily Okimura.

Hiraishi is in his first year, but coached many of the Vikings for his AYSO team.

KAUAI (4-1-1)

KIF champion, no championships, coach Dennis Chan:

Sophomore Amber Santos and Madison Perry each scored five goals for the Red Raiders, who are making their first appearance in the tournament. Goalkeeper Chrissy Hayduk anchors the defense.

Kauai's roster includes three senior starters and 11 juniors.

Chan is in his second year at the varsity level, and previously coached the junior varsity team.

Mililani (10-1-1)

OIA third place, two championships (most recently in 1994), coach James Uson:

The Trojans looked untouchable for most of the season, and could make a run for the title.

Aiea was the only team to figure out Mililani, tying them once and beating them in the OIA Tournament. In the other 10 games, the Trojans outscored their opponents, 72-3, with Mele French notching 30 of the scores.

Jackie Matsuda, Jolie Nitta and Julie Broussard are also potent offensive scorers.

Goalie Eryn Kishimoto and the three-fullback defense have been very effective.

WAIAKEA (10-3-0)

BIIF third place, no championships, coach Richard Handy:

The Warriors face Aiea today in a rematch of last year's first round game, which Na Alii won, 1-0.

Senior goalie Shelly Izuno and senior stopper Sharla Wakakuwa are the leaders for Waiakea, which didn't have the opportunity to play any preseason games.

Halfbacks JoBette Nabarrow and Leilani Sharrett provide offense, as well as forwards Andrea Wong and Lauren Minato.

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By Tim Crouse, Special to the Star-Bulletin