Senior defender a warrior
for Rainbow Wahine

Krystalynn Ontai stepped into the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine left defender position early in her freshman season. The senior from Kamehameha has held that spot ever since.

Oh, there has been a concussion, sprained ankles and a kick in the face, but Ontai is tough. Hawaii has played 71 matches since Ontai joined the team. She has started 64 and defends her space on the field with unwavering determination.

Rice at Hawaii When: Today, 7 p.m. Where: Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Stadium TV: Live on KFVE (Ch. 5). Radio: None. Admission/Parking: Free. Series: Tied 3-3. Last meeting: The Owls knocked the Wahine out of the WAC Tournament 4-1 at Dallas, Nov. 7, 2003.

"I was never intimidated by anyone on the field until my freshman year here. I learned very quickly you have to stand up for yourself or you get run over," Ontai said. "It was actually Arlene Devitt on our own team. She didn't care if you were standing between her and the goal."

UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing said, "Krystalynn is my favorite warrior. She has been since her freshman year because she plays with heart and soul."

That is a big reason Ontai has been a co-captain since her sophomore season.

While in high school, Ontai wasn't thinking about playing soccer in college. She considered attending American University in Washington, D.C., and studying criminology.

"I wanted to start focusing on the rest of my life. I did everything within my power to get in American," Ontai said. "As an afterthought, I sent a letter to the coach, but it was too late for him to see me play. He said I could try out as a walk-on."

At the same time, UH assistant Kathy Carey started talking to Ontai, who did not think she could play NCAA Division I soccer. But Kamehameha girls coach Michele Nagamine thought differently.

"Michele was incredibly supportive. She has a good idea of who can play in college and who can't. She convinced Cathy and Pinsoom to come watch me play," said Ontai, who also applied to UH.

Ontai was accepted at both schools and the decision was not easy. There were many long talks with her parents, Pennylynn and Guy.

"In the end, I got more than I wanted. The past four years at UH have been the best experience of my life. I have absolutely no regrets," Ontai said. "It has been a challenge to balance soccer and school."

An English major, Ontai has been a UH scholar-athlete every year and a Western Athletic Conference All-Academic selection the past two seasons. She set a freshman record for assists (five) and has been named to at least one all-tournament team each year since her sophomore season.

"The best way to defense is to stop the play from happening," Ontai said. "When Pinsoom says this girl is the best on the team, the best way to stop her is to never let her touch the ball. If I have my way, then it's the whole 90 minutes."

Tenzing said, "Krystalynn is one of the finest headers of the ball on our team, right up there with Natasha Kai and Liz Lusk. I named her captain because she is just an example for anyone who wants to see someone totally committed to what they should be doing."

Ontai is applying to business schools here and on the mainland. Her goal is to obtain a Master of Business Administration, then return to Hawaii and start her own publishing company that focuses on literature of the Pacific Islands.

"The big question is ... is there life after soccer?," Ontai said. "I hope the answer is yes."