University of Hawai'i senior forward Natasha Kai earned her third Western Athletic Conference soccer Player of the Year honor, it was announced last night at the WAC awards banquet in Boise, Idaho.

Kai was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year, in the first year the league made offensive and defensive distinctions. She won the Player of the Year award in 2002 and 2003.

"I was excited, and kind of shocked," Kai said. "I didn't think I was going to get it, so I was pretty stoked, because this was my last year."

Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing was named Coach of the Year for the first time after leading the Rainbow Wahine to their first outright WAC title.

"I wasn't expecting it, so it was quite a surprise," he said.

The Rainbow Wahine (9-8-2, 5-2 WAC) are in Boise for the WAC Tournament, which begins today. Hawai'i, the top seed, earned a bye into tomorrow's semifinals, where it will play the winner of the Fresno State-Utah State game.

Joining Kai on the first team were sophomore midfielder Jessica Domingo and sophomore defender Koren Takeyama. Named to the second team were junior forward Adria Campbell, junior defender Krisha Kai and freshman goalkeeper Kori Lu.

"All of them have had very exceptional WAC seasons and the coaches (who selected the team) are recognizing that," Tenzing said.

Hawai'i's six all-WAC selections were a program high, and led the conference this season.

"I'm just glad that that people other than me are getting recognized, because it takes more than one person to make the team win," Natasha Kai said.

Fresno State junior Rochelle Jagdeo was the Defensive Player of the Year and San Jose State forward Liz Behlen was the Freshman of the Year.

Kai, a four-time first-team member, scored eight goals in six WAC matches, and 14 overall this season. She owns the WAC career shots record (438), and is second in goals (71) and points (160).

Tenzing said that although Kai did not play in a loss to Utah State because she was injured, "after the game I went over to the coach and told her she deserved to win. And she said, 'You never would have lost if you had Tasha.' That's the kind of respect they have for her."

Domingo, who came back from a knee sprain, was the director of the midfield, often the focal point of UH's transition game.

"The kinds of things she does doesn't go into the stat book," Tenzing said. "But she does all the thinking work for the team and she's just defensively fearless."

Takeyama provided a burst of speed up the left side, often sparking Hawai'i's offensive attack, and helping the WAC's stingiest defense allow three goals in seven games.

"She's so artistic in everything she does back there," Tenzing said. "It's an element many coaches don't see, in college players coming from the back."

Campbell led the WAC with five assists. The transfer was a first-team selection last season with Southern Methodist.

"She's having a quiet year because of her (ankle) injury, but she has so many assists," Tenzing said.

Krisha Kai, who was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10, has been a strong presence on the backline after switching from forward.

"She wins everything in the air, playing a position I don't think she's ever played in her life," Tenzing said. "She doesn't complain, and day in and day out she's tough as nails."

Lu was second in the conference with a 0.25 goals allowed average and .944 save percentage. She allowed one goal in 360 minutes, with 17 saves, in WAC play.

"She had a steady, terrific season," Tenzing said. "She conceded one goal, and that was a one-on-one. She snuffed the striker and the ball popped way high up in the air and the striker headed it in."

Boise State sophomore defender Allison Tsuchida, a 2004 Punahou graduate, was named to the second team.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.