Hawaii's D-II college teams battle for Cup

HAWAII'S four NCAA Division II men's soccer teams will participate in the first Hawaii College Challenge Cup next weekend in the stadium at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

In the first round on Sept. 8, Brigham Young-Hawaii will play Chaminade at 5 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. match between Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii Pacific.

The losers play for third place on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m., with the winners battling for the championship at 7 p.m.

There is an admission charge, with adult tickets costing $8 a day or $12 for a two-day package. Students will be charged $5 per day or $8 for the two-day package. Youngsters under age 10 are admitted free if they are in a soccer uniform and accompanied by an adult.

Tickets will be sold on game day. Team packages are available by calling Bob Barry at 265-4249

The plan is for the Cup to be an annual affair and include the four women's teams in the future.

The pairings this year were selected at random. In the future they will be based on the previous year's standings.

The Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans are opening their season at Waipio, and the three Oahu teams will have played one match, all against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from Prescott, Ariz.

The men's and women's teams of the four Hawaii schools are joined by Notre Dame de Namur of Belmont, Calif., and Grand Canyon University of Phoenix, Ariz., in the Pacific West Conference.

The conference season starts at the end of September and features a home-and-home format.

NICOLE GARBIN (Baldwin '01) needs 10 more goals and 12 more points to become Oregon's all-time leader in those categories.

Granted a sixth year of eligibility last spring by the NCAA after sitting out two complete seasons following knee surgery, the senior striker already holds the Ducks' records for game-winning goals (13), assists (14) and shots (175).

If she plays in all 20 games on Oregon's regular-season schedule, Garbin will hold the career record with 77 appearances.

Duke Hashimoto (Iolani '02), selected 38th overall by the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer's draft last January, did not spend much time in Ohio. He was granted permission to complete his degree in general business at Southern Methodist and only flew into Columbus to play in four reserve matches.

Hashimoto then was traded to Real Salt Lake on May 24 for reserve goalkeeper Noah Palmer.

"I really didn't get to know the style of my teammates (in Columbus), but it has been much better since I came to Salt Lake," Hashimoto said.

"I haven't played in any MLS games yet, but I do play in reserve games and did play in an exhibition vs. Morelia, a team from Mexico.

"It has been enjoyable. I'm still playing soccer and I'm real happy about that."

The reserve season ends Oct. 16.

Just for Kicks runs every other Friday in the Star-Bulletin. Al Chase can be reached at achase@starbulletin.com.