Kapolei vs. Mid-Pac Friday
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usWithin the Kapolei High School girls soccer program, every day has been “Labor Day” this preseason, according to head coach Brian Beck, and in his view, the byproduct of the grueling workouts has been a more cohesive team.
“This team has jelled as far as overall personality,” said Beck, whose Hurricanes are coming off a 13-4-2 season which ended with a fifth-place finish at last February’s Division I State Soccer Tournament. “That doesn’t usually happen this soon - we’ve never had that before. The girls are excited to train with each other.
“We’ve worked them really hard. They’re all suffering together and, although we’ve had heavy competition, we have a better on-the-field, offthe-field team than we’ve had. There are no grudges despite the competition. That is one of our biggest strengths.”
A growing tradition is another strength. Kapolei has made the state tournament four years in a row, and interest in girls soccer in the community is at an all-time high, as shown by the large numbers Beck sees at his try-outs.
The current team will build around junior goal-keeper Teetah Kaiwi and a defense that returns completely intact. “Our team will go as Teetah goes,” he said.“She’s been training like a mad woman in the off season. In the preseason, she’s taken over the captain’s job well along with Brooke Bush.
“Teetah is good in all areas rather than being perfect in one. She tries to get each area (of her game) to the best level she can.”
One of four key seniors on the team, Bush played defense a year ago, but will shift to midfield this season. “She came into perfect shape this year. Last year, she had issues with her speed, as she pointed out to us herself. She came in stronger and faster, but it’s her determination that is her strength.
“She brings the whole team up when we play,” he added.“There’s a level of play she knows all of us should be playing at, and she demands that from them every single game.”
Beck also has high hopes for midfielder/forward Kristina Behrens, who is a four-year returning starter. “Her play-making abilities are her strength. She’s kind of our go-to girl. She has really good ball skills, and she makes stuff happen on the field.”
Junior forward Kaili Bonn’s return also figures to be a boost to the Hurricanes’ offense, according to Beck, who is seeking more timely scores this season.
“There were key games where we didn’t get the big goal last season. We’d either score early and cruise or lose a hard-fought game by a goal. As a coach, that really concerned us, so we want to be more attack-minded this year.
“Like Brooke, Kaili came in great shape,” he added. “She wants to be more of a goal-scorer this year, especially with Liana (Gauldarama), our ‘big-shot girl’ gone (to graduation). She’s been hitting a ton lately, and she’s developed a strong shot.”
Kapolei’s public unveiling is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday when the team hosts Mid-Pacific in preseason action. Kapolei also plays Nanakuli (away Nov. 25) and Kauai (home Nov. 28) before opening their OIA Red West slate Dec. 1 at Campbell.
As preseason practices linger, games can’t arrive quick enough, according to Beck.
“As soon as we picked the team, the girls were like, ‘When do we play our first scrimmage?’ They’re ready to start now. I tell them to slow down - we’ve still got plenty to work on.”
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