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Just For Kicks Al Chase |
Kaaa up for Dallas
challenge
CHERISH Kaaa was aware of the challenge awaiting her when she became the varsity girls soccer coach at Dallas (Ore.) High School this year.
"I knew the program wasn't very strong. I knew it would be a lot of work," said Kaaa, who is from Kapolei and graduated from University High.
In fact, the Lady Dragons had not won a league match in a long time. That changed Oct. 6.
The Lady Dragons picked up their first Val-Co Conference victory in four years that day with a 1-0 win at Forest Grove. It was also their first and only win of 2004.
"The girls were excited and the whole community was talking about that win," said Kaaa.
Kaaa has taught mathematics at Dallas for three years while serving as an assistant coach with the women's program at her alma mater, Linfield. She had played a little indoor soccer with some of her players and thought it was about time to make the transition.
"I knew going in that I wanted to make the experience fun for the girls. I had to rebuild their confidence. It's hard when you lose so often. I had to teach them skills and they needed a lot of work," Kaaa said.
"I thought I was ready to be a head coach, but got a swift kick in the butt the first couple of weeks with all the paperwork and meeting the parents' needs. Fortunately, I had a lot of help."
Kaaa, who played for Pac-Five and La Pietra, plans to get involved in the Dallas youth soccer programs.
"They are fun leagues, not very competitive, but that is where it all starts," said Kaaa.
Dallas is a community of 13,000 located 13 miles west of Salem, Oregon's capital, at the base of the Coast Range in the Willamette Valley.
College happenings
Bobby Self is one of three captains for Saint Michael's College (Colchester, Vt.) of the NCAA Division II Northeast-10 Conference. The senior midfielder from Kaiser has started 11 of 12 matches for the Purple Knights. He has scored two goals on 16 shots this year.His second score was on a booming free kick from 30 yards away into the upper right corner of the net at 38:47 Tuesday vs. Southern New Hampshire University, a match the Purple Knights lost 3-2 after surrendering two goals in the final 2:20.
Richie Higa scored three goals in the past week. He scored Friday as UMass edged host Dayton 3-2 in an Atlantic-10 Conference match. Yesterday, he scored twice. His second goal at 89:44 tied the score. UMass went on to beat Xavier 4-3 in overtime.
Brandon Higa (Punahou) scored his first goal of 2004 for NCAA Division III California Lutheran in a 3-0 win over Whittier on Oct. 9. The sophomore midfielder played in the last four matches after being sidelined with a groin injury.
Jennifer Hall broke a 1-1 tie at 29:53 on Sept. 25 and the Whitworth Pirates went on to defeat Linfield 4-1. Hall is a senior striker from Kaiser. The Pirates (10-2 overall), ranked No. 6 in the latest NCAA Division III National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, lead the Northwest Conference with a 9-0 record.
Jon Lee, a sophomore defender from Iolani, transferred from St. Mary's to Whittier.
"Jon suffered a high-ankle sprain a couple of weeks ago, but is now back on the field anchoring our defense. Jon has a great attitude and has strong leadership qualities as well," said Poets coach Dave Schaller.
Just for Kicks runs every other Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.
Al Chase can be reached at achase@starbulletin.com