Key Kaiser-Kalani Game Saturday
By Jack Danilewicz
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If recent history holds true, Kaiser girls soccer coach Adolph Samuels expects there to be little margin for error in the OIA Red East conference race.
“The games will all be close,” said Samuels, whose Cougars finished second in the East last season. “Just being able to play sound defense after scoring a goal might be enough.”
As they prepare for Saturday’s season-opener at home at 4:30 p.m. against rival Kalani, there can be no doubt that Kaiser’s focus is all on the defensive side of the ball - even with a talented group of goal scorers.
“The No. 1 thing when you play against Kalani is that you have to stop Tani Costa,” Samuels said of the Falcons’ goal-scoring player extraordinaire. “How do you stop her? That girl is a big-time player. She’s a sound, sound soccer player. She plays the whole game, and she never shuts down.”
Although only the first regular-season game for both teams, the outcome could still figure big in the league race. Kalani finished first in the East last year with a 9-2-1 record, outscoring opponents by a 35-6 margin. Kaiser ended its regular season at 7-2-3. Both teams went on to the state tournament, with the teams meeting in the consolation round (Kalani prevailed 2-1), and they have aspirations of returning. Before they reach postseason, however, both teams will have been battle-tested under the OIA’s new format. With the separation into Division I and II, Kalani and Kaiser will play each league opponent twice - once at home and once on the road.
For their part, the Cougars will have a smaller roster than in past years, according to Samuels, but their talent pool remains deep, led by senior forward Rachel Tomita, sophomore sweeper Amy Austin and senior mid-fielder Michelle Takahashi. Tomita was a First Team All-Conference pick last season, while Austin and Takahashi were both named to the East’s Second Team.
“Rachel was our top scorer last year even after suffering a knee injury in preseason. She played the entire regular season in pain and still scored nine goals. We’ll rely on her offensive output a lot in front. She has great skills, and she’s real quick.”
Austin was one of the league’s top newcomers last year, providing steady play as a freshman. “As a freshman, it was amazing to see her handle the pressure. She’s uncanny, a real composed defender, who doesn’t get flustered. We have so much confidence in her in what she can do in the back.”
Samuels calls Takahashi “one of the quickest players on the team.”
“She has very good ball-handling skills; she’s real advanced. She reads the game well, too, and she’s a leader.”
Offensively, “we should be stronger,” he said.“We have a good balance of people who can play either mid-field or forward, and because Amy can do so much, we can do a lot more up front.”
One area of emphasis for this preseason has been in goal, with standout Cari Makino having completed her eligibility last February. Sophomore Jody Robinson has emerged as the starter in recent weeks and figures to be in net versus Kalani on Saturday.
“At 5-7, she’s taller than Cari and a little more muscular,” Samuels said. “She has good hands and good instincts.”
Although the Cougars have their share of play-makers, the coach sees his team’s cohesiveness as a key plus.
“The chemistry with this team has been great,” said Samuels, who is assisted by Janelle Ling. “Our strength is that the girls all get along; they’re very close. We’re way ahead at this stage than where we’ve been at this time in the past.”
Kaiser had split four preseason games heading into last weekend. The Cougars posted wins over Mid-Pacific (2-0) and Pac-Five (3-0) with losses to Iolani (1-0) and Punahou (2-0).
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