Hawaii coach gets
preview of 2 opponents
The Hawaii soccer team hosts Utah Valley State and Morehead State in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Classic this weekend.
Due to travel arrangements, the mainland schools open the classic tonight at 7 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park stadium. UH plays UVS Saturday at 7 p.m. and Morehead State Sunday at 5 p.m.
These matches and a single contest against Cornell Sept. 20 are the final preseason matches for the Rainbow Wahine before conference play.
Hawaii coach Pinsoom Tenzing doesn't know much about either opponent other than looking at the results. Both teams are on the UH schedule for the first time.
"Utah Valley State is playing Division I for the first time and they are making all kinds of noise. They beat Weber State, an established Division I team, and tied Eastern Washington," said Tenzing. "They obviously have striking power. We have to be ready to play them or else we'll get beat."
The UVS Wolverines (2-1-1) opened the season with victories over Mesa State (5-0) and Weber State (1-0), then lost to Idaho State (1-0) and tied Eastern Washington (2-2).
Coach Gabrielle Smart has a young team with 19 of the 25 players being freshmen or sophomores. The leading scorers with two goals apiece are senior Tennille Vance and freshman Taylor Cracroft.
Utah Valley State is located in Orem, Utah, and is the first junior college to make the direct jump to NCAA Division I.
Tenzing will get a preview of both teams tonight.
"That is a luxury I generally don't have. I'm going to relish it," said the UH coach.
The Morehead State (Ky.) Eagles have a 5-0 victory over Georgetown (Ky.), losses to Wright State and Louisville by 2-1 and 5-0 scores and a 1-1 tie with Appalachian State.
The leading goal scorers are senior striker Christina Moore and sophomore midfielder Lauren Setters, each with two.
The Rainbow Wahine will not have midfielder Mia Moe this weekend. She has a shifted right patella and probably won't be ready until the Western Athletic Conference season starts in two weeks. Robyn deHay may take Moe's position.
"It will be a game-time decision plus what develops on the field," Tenzing said.
