Keith Coleman is dreaming of his next getaway to Hawai'i. Not that he won't have business to attend to while in the Islands.

Coleman, who is in his 15th season as head coach of the University of the Pacific women's soccer team, is reaping the benefits of his 2007 recruiting class, one that includes four former Hawai'i prep standouts.

Sophomores Natalie Wong, Kylee Ah Choy, Chyanne Alejado and Sammi Teramae — along with junior Kellie Nakahara — have helped the Tigers amass an 8-6-1 record, 3-2-1 in the Big West Conference.

"Part of the reason we recruited those four is because I'm real good friends with Michelle (Nagamine) from Leahi (Soccer Club)," Coleman said. "I got to see them play together in Las Vegas when they were juniors in high school. (Alejado) and (Wong), they were actually on the under-17 team, but they moved up to the under-18 team with (Teramae) and (Ah Choy)."

Teramae, an 'Iolani graduate from Kapolei, saw the most playing time in 2007, but with "about 10 players" completing their eligibility and another two suffering career-ending injuries, all five are seeing quality time this season.

Teramae, a forward, has two goals and two assists while battling a nagging leg injury she suffered at last summer's Far West Regionals, which was held at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex.

"Sammi played a ton last year," Coleman said. "It's been a rough road for her this year, but she's getting better with each game and she's still one of our best players."

Ah Choy, a Kamehameha graduate from Mililani, has two assists and scored her first career goal in Friday's 1-1 tie against UC Santa Barbara.

"Kylee is our anchor in the back (on defense)," Coleman said. "She's kind of been that one immovable person in the lineup. She's there when you need her to be."

Alejado, also a defender, is a Kapolei graduate. Ah Choy and Alejado are two of just three players who have started all 15 games this season.

"(Alejado) is just so versatile. She could probably play every position on the field except goalie," Coleman said.

Wong, a midfielder, is a Mililani graduate and has started 11 games. She has taken 13 shots — six on goal — this season.

"(Wong) is kind of blossoming right in front of us. She's developing into a good player," Coleman said.

Nakahara, a 2006 graduate of Punahou, did not play as a freshman and has missed the last four games with a knee injury.

"Kellie wasn't really sure if she wanted to do soccer and school, but once the other girls came, you couldn't keep her from coming out. She was having a very good year until the knee injury," Coleman said.

"We felt that coming into this season, based on our spring, that this sophomore class was good, but just not game tested," Coleman said. "But, with two more wins we'll make it into our conference tournament — and the Big West is tough conference — so we're really pleased with where we're at and we're pretty excited about the future."

Coleman likes this group and hopes to bring more players from Hawai'i to the Stockton, Calif. campus.

"They're good kids and super-competitive and I couldn't ask for nicer kids," he said. "We'll be trying to keep that connection going."

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