[ WAHINE SOCCER ]
WAC soccer
tourney kicks off
The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine soccer team begins its quest Friday in Dallas for the Western Athletic Conference tournament championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.
This is the strongest and most prolific scoring team UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing has ever taken to the postseason showdown. The Wahine have guided the ball over the goal line 50 times this year, a single-season record.
WAC Soccer Tournament
When: Tomorrow through SaturdayWhere: Westcott Field on the Southern Methodist campus.
Defending Champion: SMU
Tomorrow: Rice vs. Fresno State; Texas-El Paso vs. Boise State.
Friday: Hawaii vs. Rice-Fresno State winner; Southern Methodist vs. UTEP-Boise State winner.
Saturday: Championship.
Notes: UH has appeared in three WAC tournaments and has a 2-3 record. The best Wahine showing came in 2001 when they lost the championship match to host SMU 2-0.
They learn tomorrow night who their opponent is in the semifinal round when the result is known of the first-round match between Rice and Fresno State at host Southern Methodist's Wescott Field.
"My suspicion is that Rice will go through. They have been playing well," Tenzing said. "We had to work against them, certainly more than the 2-0 score indicates. They had more speed than we anticipated. They aren't flashy, but they play a very solid game."
Because travel arrangements were made well in advance and since the Wahine did not know if they would earn a first-round bye, they arrived in Dallas Monday. This should give them plenty of time to get acclimated to the Texas weather.
"It's a great situation for us. We get to watch the games on Thursday and scout. It will be a great environment for our players," said UH assistant coach Bob Barry. "I do not see a big difference between Southern Methodist, Fresno State, Rice and us. We really had to work to beat Rice and Fresno State and we know what SMU is all about."
The Wahine will be well rested and Tenzing's only injury concern is how senior midfielder Mia Moe will hold up. She is not 100 percent after suffering a strained left knee on the first road trip in September.
"Mia played well against Brigham Young and, as expected, got tired at the end. We need her to control the middle of the field," said Tenzing.
Hawaii opened WAC regular-season action by defeating Rice 2-0 in Houston on second-half goals by Arlene Devitt. The Owls outshot UH 13-8, put more shots on goal (6-4) and generated more corner kicks (5-3).
Hawaii blanked visiting Fresno State 3-0 after getting two gift goals in the first 14 minutes. However, the Bulldogs outshot the Wahine 22-16 and created several excellent scoring opportunities they were unable to finish.
"I thought our chances of winning the WAC were good at the beginning of the season," said Tenzing. "Rice is a challenge and they are playing in Texas."
Hawaii offense is led by sophomore striker Natasha Kai with 29 goals. She is flanked up front by senior Arlene Devitt and junior Robyn deHay who have combined for 10 goals and 15 assists.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mahie Atay has a goals-against average of 1.1.
