Kane Looks To Younger Players For Girls Soccer Success
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usOne in a series of prep soccer previews.
By JACK DANILEWICZ
In an OIA Red East conference where there is little margin for error, girls soccer coach Mark Kane’s defense-first approach is firmly entrenched. Indeed, you can usually count on his Castle Knights to keep the score down.
“Our defense will come around - it’s a matter of finding the right people to plug in. We look to be steady there. I’ve usually been a defensive-minded coach. Defense keeps us in games.”
The Knights, who were 3-9 last year, welcomed back a handful of key returnees last week when they officially began practice for the 2008-09 season. But to hear their coach tell it, it is the new varsity players whose development figures to go a long way in determining the fate of Castle’s season.
“The young players are the key,” said Kane, whose team plays its first preseason game at home against Mililani at 6 p.m. Nov. 20. “They’ve only been with us a few days, but it looks like some of them will be able to fill in. Preseason is going to allow us to find all the combinations that will help us.”
Early on and throughout the season, expect the Knights to lean on seniors Allison Hirata, Tiffany Kishida and Shelby Furtado. Hirata is the defensive leader from her sweeper position, while Kishida and Furtado are forwards.
“Allison is very good in organizing the back,” Kane said. “She’s good enough to do her job and to direct other people, and you need someone like that in your defense. She might be our keeper if we can’t find someone to fill that space.
“Tiffany and Shelby are three-year starters. They bring experience in the mid-field, and we’ll count on them to help bring the younger players around. Shelby has speed and a great cross (pass), and she’s one of our top scorers. Tiffany is strong on the ball. She’s usually our quarterback on offense. She directs, and she has all the tools she needs.”
Kane also is high on junior defenders Rachel Clute and Jill Hara.
“Rachel is very aggressive and very athletic. She’s usually our stopper.
“Jill is a solid defender. She’s a good marker, and she doesn’t make many mistakes in the back, which is the kind of player you like. We’re trying out a lot of people at other positions.”
Kane also envisions junior Shayla Hosaka moving into a starting striker position (“She had a great summer for us”), while fellow junior Briana Bean is set to play center-midfielder.
The Knights’ game with Mililani Nov. 20 will serve as a first-round game as part of the Castle-Leilehua preseason tournament. The tournament also continues Nov. 21 and 22 with the Knights playing the first two days at home. A busy preseason slate should help season a Knights team that will face plenty of stern competition when they reach OIA conference play next month.
“The East will be strong with (Penn State-bound) Tani Costa and Kalani,” Kane said.“Although she’s hurt right now, I’m sure she’ll be back by then. Moanalua and Kaiser and Kahuku all will be solid. Roosevelt is also coming back to the Red (Division I) after being in the White (Division II), and they’ve been playing very well. It’s going to be fun. We really have a lot of work to do. Hopefully, we’ll be ready by the playoffs.”
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