The Hawaii soccer team plays Weber State twice this weekend, the last two nonconference opportunities to solidify the team for the Western Athletic Conference season. Wahine have
2 more chances
to get set for WACBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe forward line of junior Arlene Devitt and freshmen Carmen Calpo and Natasha Kai is set. This trio should produce goals, but they will have to learn to deal with tight marking better and look for the open teammate more.
Jessica Uecker, a sophomore transfer from South Carolina and WAC Defender of the Week last week, anchors the defense in the middle.
Krystalynn Ontai is solid at left back. Freshman Seline Williams started the season at right back, but was sidelined early with an injury and is just beginning to see limited playing time.
Senior Noelle Takemoto has played both left and right back. Freshman walk-on Kelly McCloskey saw considerable action at right back against Long Beach State, acquitted herself well and has joined the back-line mix.
"I'm pretty satisfied with the defense and with the goalkeeping," UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "Now we need to convert some of those early goal opportunities we've been missing. We can't afford to do that.
"The kids have been doing the right things. They can all finish, but I think they are too wound up early. If they can score early it changes the energy level on the field."
Joelle Sugai on the left and Natalie Groenewoud on the right bookend the midfield line and they can run all night. They have been effective in limiting opponents trying to build an offense using the wings, and they overlap at times to augment UH offensive thrusts.
Sasha Araya-Schraner, Erin Quattromani, Mia Moe, Tia Medeiros, Wanette Miyashiro and Kalena Eaton have served time in the center midfield positions.
Contributing to the revolving door in the middle are nagging injuries to Araya-Schraner and Quattromani and Eaton's continuing recovery from a knee injury last year.
Neither Tenzing nor goalkeeper coach Josh Fouts will say if Mahie Atay or Jennifer Churchill has claimed the spot between the pipes for the WAC season, but Atay has started the last four matches.
Atay, the Star-Bulletin All-State Player of the Year in 2001, was kicked in the head 19 minutes into the Long Beach State match when she made a diving stop of Allison Wiegand's shot. Atay had a headache the next day, but is expected to be ready this weekend.
"It was a 50-50 deal. The girl was going for a goal. I don't think there was anything intentional. It happens," said Fouts who holds the Gonzaga career record for shutouts with 19.
This was supposed to be a tournament weekend for the Wahine, but Binghamton (N.Y.) University canceled seven months ago due to 9/11 and Tenzing couldn't find a replacement.
"First, we had to beg Weber State to come because they didn't want to play one game, then we begged them to play two games," said the UH coach.
Hawaii is 2-4-2 overall. Weber State is 3-4-1.
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