RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Aiea High School girls soccer team will rely on the talents of Ambree Ako, Jodie Toyama and Tehane Higa in the state championship.
The ability to get along
and have fun has played
a big part in the success
of the Aiea girls soccer team
The relaxed air that prevails at a typical Aiea girls soccer practice carefully conceals a team that plays with great emotion.
"We're always real excited before a game, and that gets me ready to play," said senior captain Jodie Toyama. "I tell the girls not to get too excited -- we have to stay under control and play our game. I used to believe in superstitions -- like wearing the same socks or the same rubber bands (in her hair), but the one thing I learned this year is that it's not about all of that. It's about bringing your game and playing with heart."
Lately, Na Alii have been big on faith as well. Last week they saw their 11-game undefeated string ended by Kailua in a 1-0 loss in the OIA semifinals, but rebounded to beat Pearl City on a muddy field in the third-place game. The team found itself in unfamiliar territory, trying to rebound from a loss.
"Everything is worth learning from -- whether it's a win or a loss," said Toyama. "I think the loss was beneficial. I'd rather lose (in the OIA playoffs) than in states. We were hurting, but it gave us motivation. We had our opportunities. I have to give credit to Kailua -- they played good."
Entering today's game (3 p.m.) against Kauai in the first round of the Ohana Hotels State Soccer Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park, Toyama and her teammates are hoping to regain their regular-season form, when they finished 10-0. Aiea finished third in the tournament last year and figures to be a factor this week despite last week's upset loss to Kailua.
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Senior Jodie Toyama, sophomore Ambree Ako and junior Tehane Higa are three of Aiea's top players in the state tournament.
With Toyama, junior defender Tehane Higa and sophomore forward Ambree Ako, Aiea will feature three of the top players in the tournament.
"Ambree is one of the top scorers, and although defensive players don't always get recognition, Tehane's play has been outstanding, defensively," said Aiea coach Gordon Matsuoka, whose team has made the state tournament seven of the last eight years. "You can't help but recognize her, and you can't help but notice Jodie because of her skills."
Na Alii say their success has less to do with their skills than their ability to get along with one another.
"There's hardly any drama here," Ako said. "The seniors help out the underclassmen. At first, I thought it was going to be a rough year. We had such a small team, and we'd lost four starters, so that was going to be hard to fill, but it's worked out. We have a lot of fun during practices and games, but we know when to be serious."
Added Higa: "Our team is really close. We all like each other. My freshman year, there were problems with people who were unhappy over playing time, but everyone gets along on this team, and it shows on the field. We all have the same goals, so we go out every game and try our hardest. We always play as a team. We all love each other -- this is my second family. I'm proud of everyone for our coming this far."
Among Na Alii's assistants is current UH player Joelle Sugai, who once starred for Aiea. In the aftermath of the Kailua game, she was able to call on her own experience as a player.
"I told them, 'I know what you're feeling, but you can't dwell on it,' " Sugai said. "You have to learn to bounce back and change the way you play so that it doesn't happen again. Everyone's on the same page here. They can talk to each other, and that's why I enjoy working with them."
Aiea's team unity has been achieved despite the loss of four players to graduation last spring, including standout goalkeeper Diana Shiroma.
Those losses were offset, in part, by senior Nicole Takemoto, who returned to the program after a year off, and the arrival of Roosevelt transfer Tobi Kanehira. Takemoto converted from forward to goalkeeper and has been tutored by Aiea assistant and current UH goalkeeper, Mahie Atay, this season. "She (Takemoto) came back this year, and she's been very successful," Matsuoka said. "That was one of our goals -- to replace our goal-keeper."
After a smooth transition from Roosevelt, Kanehira has given Na Alii an added boost offensively with 12 goals, tying her for the team lead with Ako.
"When I first came here, I was afraid to come out (for the team)," she said. "I didn't know if we'd all get along, but it's been great."
"She (Tobi) has been a big blessing," added Toyama.
Na Alii's greater chore this week may be to capitalize on its scoring opportunities. After outscoring opponents 47-2 during the regular season, they were hard pressed to score in the OIA playoffs.
"We couldn't finish, but we learned from it," Toyama said. "It was motivation for me to shoot more. I like to share I guess -- I look to pass."
"Sometimes we hold onto it too long and give up our shots," added Ako. "But we take enough shots most of the time to make it count."
