Monday, October 22, 2001
[ WAHINE SOCCER ]
"Giving too many balls away." "Losing balls in own half of the field." "Passing to SMU." SMU shows up Wahine
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThese scribbled notes kept repeating on successive pages in this reporter's notebook.
On a night when a school-record 2,488 fans showed up to watch Hawaii take on Western Athletic Conference leader Southern Methodist, the Wahine left their "A-game" in the locker room.
The Wahine had their chances, some absolutely wonderful, but they couldn't recreate the prosperity of last Friday's five-goal effort.
Despite being a player short for the final 59 minutes after goalkeeper Erin McLeod was red-carded for tackling Arlene Devitt from behind, the Lady Mustangs scored twice in the final nine minutes for a 3-1 victory.
SMU's Kim Harvey forced UH goalkeeper Jennifer Churchill to make a diving save 39 seconds into the match. The Lady Mustangs kept the pressure on early, hustling to get loose balls and keeping play in the UH end.
Hawaii's first real opportunity came when Devitt sent Joelle Sugai away down the left side with a pretty pass after six minutes of play. Sugai left-footed a cross to an open Veronica Flores about 8 yards out, but the senior striker's volley shot sailed over the bar.
SMU came back two minutes later with a goal. Erin MacCallum, all alone on the right wing, received a pass from the middle. She chipped a ball toward the far side where Sarah Harvey flicked the ball over Churchill's outstretched fingers at 8:36.
Devitt had a break away at 11:18 but her shot from the top of the penalty-shot circle skimmed by the outside of the left post. She found herself unmarked at 41:56, but volleyed a cross from Natalie Groenewoud over the bar. And on the free kick following the red card, Erin Schremser bent her drive around the wall only to have the ball rebound from the crossbar.
The Wahine tied the score at 59:37. Krystalynn Ontai drove a corner kick low into the wind that Liz Lusk sliced off her head into the net. Hawaii didn't get many chances after that as the Lady Mustang's nine field players constantly cut off the passing lanes and took advantage of unforced Hawaii passes right to players wearing SMU colors.
"This was atrocious, almost as bad as we were in the second half of the St. Mary's game," said UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "We came out flat and put up a dismal performance. I'm embarrassed because so many people came out."
SMU took the lead at 81:12 on a rocket shot by Kim Harvey from 45 yards out that caught the upper right-hand corner of the net. At 84:51, an unguarded Tara Comfort ripped a shot from the right side that hit the back, left corner of the net to account for the final score.
Fresno State 3, Nevada 2 (2 OT): Angela Tafolla scored the game winner at 108:48 for the Bulldogs in the only other WAC match yesterday. Fresno State's first two goals were scored by Erin Sayegusa, a sophomore from Kaiser High School. The Wolf Pack had forced overtime when Kaula Rowe, a sophomore from Kamehameha, scored an unassisted goal at 61:14.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii