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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 22, 2009

'Bows tie BYU 0-0 to start season


By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Pinsoom Tenzing

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RAINBOW WAHINE SOCCER

WHAT: Ohana Hotels and Resorts No Ka 'Oi Tournament

WHO: Hawai'i vs. No. 2 Stanford, 5 p.m.

tomorrow

WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer

Stadium, Waipahu

TV: K5

ADMISSION: Free

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There are two goalkeepers, both freshmen, on the University of Hawai'i women's soccer roster, but neither started the season opener for the Rainbow Wahine last night.

Both did play and contributed in a 0-0 double-overtime tie with Brigham Young at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium in the OHANA Hotels and Resorts No Ka 'Oi tournament.

"As a team, we are contracted to come in shape," Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing said. "We are getting there, but unless you pass all your fitness tests, you don't get to start. And it's a big deal. You get to hear your name announced prior to the game, little things like that. But they have to be accountable."

All-Western Athletic Conference defender Chelsea Deptula instead started in the goal. Two minutes in, Kanani Taaca took her place and Deptula returned to the field.

"It was kind of a joke in the beginning, but once you step out on the field you get serious and I don't think it changed anything," Deptula said. "It actually helped seeing a different point of view from the back so I could recognize what needed to be done right in the beginning of the game."

Brigham Young, ranked No. 25 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the first of two ranked opponents Hawai'i plays to start the season. The Rainbow Wahine conclude the tournament against No. 2 Stanford tomorrow at 5 p.m.

With the season just beginning and a revamped defensive foursome in the back, Tenzing started captain Kristyn Shapka, who played midfield last season, in the back to help stabilize the defense.

"Shapka did exceedingly well," Tenzing said. "She organized the defense well."

Last night, that defense allowed 15 shots by the Cougars, compared to 10 by the Rainbow Wahine. Taaca recorded two saves and fellow freshman Kristina Ehrett five. Deptula did not see any shots.

Offensively, Hawai'i's production came in spurts. At times it seemed as though all 11 players were playing in Hawai'i's defensive half of the field.

"In the first half, (BYU) was sending long balls and our defense was dropping back and consequently we couldn't score," Tenzing said. "We figured at halftime that unless we had a target on top, we wouldn't get to score. Not only offensive chances, but getting into the offensive half of the field. We had no targets."

Hawai'i's only shot on goal came four minutes into the second overtime period when Britta Bourne blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that BYU goalkeeper McKinzie Olson dived to save.

"You kind of get caught being happy to clear the ball away, it's almost like you're doing a defensive drill where you're clearing the ball out and then you get organized again and end up defending a lot more," Shapka said. "Which you saw mostly in the first half. We picked it up a bit in the second half and started to get organized."