Just For Kicks
HAWAII players are receiving a share of the postseason honors being handed out in the world of collegiate soccer. It all comes together
for Gonzaga’s ScottZach Scott was cited three times in the final weeks of his career with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. First, he was West Coast Conference Player of the Week after his three-goal performance against Loyola Marymount. That was followed by WCC Player of the Month for October only to be topped when the senior defender from Maui High School was a first team all-conference selection.
"It was pretty exciting. None of it was expected," Scott said. "I try not to expect anything. If it comes, it's a blessing."
He chose Gonzaga because of the Hawaii players there, the academic and athletic scholarships available and the fact his then girlfriend, now his fiancee, was already on the Spokane, Wash., campus.
"I knew it was a strong program. I never doubted I could compete, but I thought I might not be given a chance. Hawaii isn't generally known as a soccer state," Scott said.
He said every year was a learning experience. He tried to absorb as much as he could from seniors, calling himself a student of the older players.
"By my senior year, everything came so easily," said Scott. "The highlights were this year. We weren't expected to do well but we made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Then I scored three goals when my mom came up."
A math major, Scott graduates in the spring and wants to teach elementary school. But, first there is a wedding and he wants to continue playing by hooking up with an A-League team on the West Coast.
Junior striker Ben Swan (Konawaena) was the Most Valuable Player in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference tournament, scoring three goals in two games for Arcadia University. He also was named to the All-PAC first team for the second consecutive season.
Swan scored 15 goals and had nine assists for the 13th ranked Knights (20-1-1) who lost in the round of 16 in the NCAA Division III Tournament to No. 1 Messiah, 2-0.
Trisha Barbosa, a defender for Williams College, was named to the All-New England Small College Athletic Conference second team. The senior is a Punahou graduate.
Her coach, Lisa Melendy, also a Punahou alum, was named NESCAC Coach of the Year after leading the Ephs to a 13-0 regular-season record and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Gabby Ahmadia is an honorable mention Great Northwest Athletics Conference selection. The junior midfielder from Waiakea High School was second on the 9-10-1 Humboldt State Lumberjacks in goals scored (8) and assists (5).
Chelsea Montero (Kamehameha) was an honorable mention selection on the All-West Coast Conference women's team. The sophomore defender played a key role in the St. Mary's Gaels 15-3-2 season which ended with a 3-1 loss to Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Sarah Takekawa (Kailua H.S.) scored the Gaels goal in the Stanford match. The freshman striker scored six goals and added two assists in 20 matches. Montero also had two assists in 20 matches.