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UH Soccer Players From Aiea Head To Idaho Tourney

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Ambree Ako

On those cold afternoons on faraway campuses, University of Hawaii defender Tehane Higa and her teammates have only each other. Upon further review, that might be a good thing.

Indeed, to hear the junior from Aiea tell it, the UH Wahine soccer team’s cohesiveness should never be underestimated.

“Everyone on this team is so close,“said Higa.“Our closeness off of the field helps us on the field.”

Higa and the Wahine will count on that unity this week when they take part in the “all-or-nothing” Western Athletic Conference tournament in Boise, Idaho. The Wahine were in control of their own destiny last weekend as they closed out their regular season with an opportunity to win the championship. Even so, a stellar regular season in the WAC doesn’t translate into an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The league’s only berth goes to the winner of the WAC’s post-season tournament, making this week a do-or-die affair for UH, which has never gone to an NCAA Tournament. Depending on their seeding, UH would need to win either two or three straight to win the tournament.

“None of us has ever been there, so it’s definitely our ultimate (team) goal,” said Higa, who is an all-WAC academic selection.“We’ve been close, but we’ve always fallen short. We have to get over the fact that it’s going to be freezing cold up there and play our game. The only thing that can stop us is ourselves.”

Tehane Higa

Higa is used to the sense of urgency that goes with the post-season. She and teammates Ambree Ako and Kelli-Anne Chang played their high school soccer at tradition-rich Aiea, which made the semifinals of the state tournament four years in a row from 2002 to 2005. The trio would love nothing more than to play a part in what could be the biggest week in UH’s soccer history.

“It’s exciting because it’s within reach,” Chang said. “It’s attainable. Hopefully, we can manage the weather in Boise. I hear it’s going to be cold.”

The trio, all of whom are having stellar seasons this fall, attribute part of their success at UH to growing up in the Aiea community, where the interest in soccer is high.

“Just being around soccer every day was important,” explained Ako. “I grew to love it. Once you love something, you want to work hard at it to get better.”

Added Chang: “Aiea was a top team. I had a lot of pride playing there, and I still do. The players, the coaches, the parents and the community - it was all good.”

Ironically, Higa originally planned to enroll at Moanalua High School, having attended Moanalua Intermediate.

“They denied my geographic exemption, which turned out to be a good thing,” said Higa, whose six goals trail only Ako and her roommate Taryn Fukuroku on the UH team.“The competition at Aiea was more helpful to me than if I’d played at Moanalua. I have an appreciation for the program at Aiea and the coaches that helped me.

“Every year I was at Aiea, we went to the state tournament,” she added.“Playing there gave me a lot of exposure. I was just going to go to the Mainland for school (and not play soccer) until coach Pinsoom (Denzing) and the coaches started looking at me. Then I thought, ‘Why not? I can stay in Hawaii and play in front of my friends and family.’”

The Aiea women have all warmed up nicely to Division I competition after a period of adjustment. Chang has had a good season at mid-fielder while Ako entered last weekend’s action tied for the team lead in goals with Fukuroku at nine from her forward position.

“When I first started (college), I didn’t expect it to be as fast as it is,” Ako said. “But I’ve gotten used to the physicality of it.”

Kelli-Anne Chang

As was the case with both Ako and Higa, Chang’s only scholarship offer came from UH. “I had just played my last game (at Aiea), and I thought my career was over when they (UH coaches) approached me,“recalled Chang.“I was shocked. I didn’t think I’d play in college, so I wasn’t mentally prepared at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

Added Ako: “I didn’t expect it, but if I had been offered by a Mainland school, I probably would-n’t have accepted. I wanted to stay home. I’m glad I am playing - it’s led me to a lot of new experiences.”

Helping the Wahine earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament would be yet another.