Wahine prepare
for road test

Hawaii soccer coach Pinsoom Tenzing wants his players to execute on the mainland in the same manner they did against Butler last Friday.

UH tied that match and beat Robert Morris on Sunday to improve to 3-4-2.

But the Wahine missed too many passes and fell into the habit of thinking "long ball" first in the win over RMU, according to Tenzing.

His idea of quality soccer is to use a series of five or more passes to move the ball around the field and toward the goal.

Despite ending a four-match winless streak Sunday against Robert Morris, Tenzing prefers the steady, methodical approach to creating offense mixed with the occasional timely dash forward by one of his speedy defenders.

The Wahine start the season's second road trip at No. 23 Cal State Fullerton tomorrow night. They play San Diego State on Saturday.

The Titans (7-2), UH's third ranked opponent this season, are playing their first home match after seven consecutive road games. They were 6-1 away from Titan Stadium, losing only to perennial national power Santa Clara 1-0.

Kandace Wilson has scored four goals, and Marlene Sandoval, Kellie Cox and Stacey Thompson have three each.

The Aztecs (6-5), who play San Diego today, have lost three of their last four matches, all in overtime.

Freshman strikers Jen Mello (four goals), and Erika Sutton (two goals and five assists) spark the SDSU offense.

The Wahine will need to make use of the creative talents of center midfielders Gabina Bohlman and Jessica Domingo, both back in action after recovering from knee injuries but not yet 100 percent.

"The knee is still sore," Bohlman said.

"One-hundred percent, far from it," said Domingo, who played all 200 minutes last weekend after missing six matches. "I'm trying. Fitness is my key right now. I'm not where I should be on the field because I'm not in shape."

Despite the rotation of partners on the forward line due to injuries, Natasha Kai says that situation is improving.

"The more the younger players get to play, the more comfortable they get," Kai said. "I'm happy they are getting the playing time."

Aimee Cohen started the first seven matches until suffering an injured left knee at UC Santa Barbara on the last road trip. The freshman striker is out for the season.

Two other freshman, Taryn Fukuroku and Elizabeth Brauher, junior Adria Campbell and sophomore striker-turned-defender Koren Takeyama, have taken turns playing up top this season.

Campbell sprained her left ankle last Friday and sat out Sunday, but said she would be ready for the road trip.