Lady Marauders Find Strength In Numbers
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usThere is indeed strength in numbers, as Elaina Paredes is finding out with the Waipahu girls soccer team.
Entering her ninth season at the high school, the veteran coach can remember when filling out her roster wasn’t easy. With interest in soccer now at an all-time high in the community, however, those days are long gone.
“We had 15 my first year, but we had 60 try out this year,” she said. “It’s great that the parents see our program growing, and they’re keeping their kids in the community (at Waipahu High).”
A common characteristic of the best programs in the state is a roster made up entirely of players who are veterans of club soccer. On that note, the Marauders also have made progress.
“It looks like we have quite a few club players, and they all bring a lot of skill and a natural competitiveness,” Paredes said. “In past years, we had a lot of girls who were playing the sport for the first time.”
Paredes also upgraded her coaching staff by adding former Roosevelt head coach Ed Ota. As far as finding a coach on the field, she tapped junior goalkeeper Kimi Kamiaupio to set the tone, defensively.
“I try to build from the defense on up, putting the best players or most dependable players on defense,” she explained.
Paredes also anticipates a big year from junior striker/forward Keri Fujiwara and sophomores Alyssa Almogela and Jahna Tacson.
Almogela will hold down a spot at mid-field, while Tacson is projected to start in the back on defense. “Alyssa has a strong left leg, which is unique since we usually have right-legged players. She’s a very experienced player for a sophomore, since she started as a freshman.
“(Tacson) is very skillful - she has good ball skills, and she’s an incredible dribbler.”
Among the newcomers, freshman Caitlin Estanique could make the biggest impact early on. She’s slated to play at mid-field, among other positions. “She’s very skillful,” Paredes said. “She’s mentally tough, even for a freshman. She’s played since she was 5.”
Waipahu, which went 2-7-1 in the OIA White Conference last season, opens preseason play Saturday in a double-header at Nanakuli. Waipahu meets the host Golden Hawks at 9 a.m., with a game versus Kauai High to follow at 11:30.
Waipahu opens league play Dec. 3 at home versus Radford.
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