Chargers Have Good Health, Need To Build Confidence
By Jack Danilewicz
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Analyzing scouting reports took a back seat to monitoring injury reports for the Pearl City girls soccer team last season, but the forecast is much more healthy this time around - literally.
“Everybody’s healthy, and that’s a plus,” said Pearl City co-head coach Tracee Kono. “It was a rough year.”
All told, the team lost six players to ACL injuries last season. That they still managed to make their customary state tournament appearance says a lot about the program, one of Oahu’s most successful over the long haul. Pearl City went 9-4-2 in the OIA games (regular and post-season) in 2008-09 and are off to a 1-0-1 start now in the Red West Conference.
While the season is young, this week is unquestionably a crucial one. The Chargers were to play Kapolei Tuesday before the 5:30 p.m. Friday showdown at Mililani. Pearl City tied Aiea 1-1 in its OIA opener Dec. 1 before defeating Leilehua 7-0.
A greater chore has been to develop its chemistry with a relatively young lineup that will provide the supporting cast for senior captains Jaillian Seminara, Makenzie Mauer and Kristy Iwahashi.
“We had a preseason unlike any other in that we usually get better with every game,” said Kono, who shares leadership with longtime coach Frank Baumholtz. “It was a rough preseason in that sense, so we’re trying to get the kids more confident in how they play. Slowly, we’re developing better teamwork. The hardest thing for Frank and I is that we’ve been inconsistent so far. We don’t have any stars on this team. Everyone will have to step up it up more.”
What they do have is leadership in the three returnees. Seminara, a center-fullback, was among those whose entire season was lost to a torn ACL, but she’s back in the lineup after rehabbing.
“She had surgery last December, and she began playing again in the summer,” Kono said of Seminara, a four-year varsity player.“She’s very competitive. She just hates to lose and takes it personally when things don’t go well for us. We’ve seen a lot
of growth from her from her freshman year to now. She has good footwork, and she’s a physical force.”
Mauer was a center-mid-fielder in the program in the past, but she’ll move to goal-keeper this year. She also suffered through an injury-riddled junior year, having dislocated both kneecaps.
“It’s a different role for us,” Kono said, “but (Mauer)‘s a committed player who will do anything to benefit the team. She won’t panic under extreme pressure. She’s been staying after practice to work with the boys goalkeeper coach.”
Iwahashi also is a center-mid-fielder and has returned to that position.“She’s one of those silent leaders - she leads by example,” Kono added. “We’ll count on all three of them.”
Elsewhere on the roster, youth will definitely be served, as the Chargers lost a total of nine seniors to graduation.
“We have a smaller team (numbers-wise) than in years past, and we’ve picked up three freshmen, which is unusual for us. We’ll be there standing at the end when the playoffs come. No one can count us out.”
At a glance, all signs point to a defensive struggle on Friday when the Chargers renew their long-standing rivalry with Mililani. The Trojans outscored their first two Red West opponents 15-0, while the Chargers tal-lied eight goals in their first two games and yielded only one.
“Bottom line, we have to come out ready to play. We need to not worry about winning and losing and worry more about playing our own game. They’re usually tight, defensively, and they take advantage of every opportunity.”
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