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A new era has dawned this fall at Brigham Young University Hawaii. It is the era of women's soccer. BYU-Hawaii, along with the other island NCAA II schools, Hawaii Pacific, UH-Hilo, and Chaminade, added women's soccer to the athletic program this year in order to meet the NCAA minimum for conference sports. It could mark the start of a major upswing in girl's and women's soccer in the islands.
Second year Seasiders' Head Coach, Justin Wagar, returns to the school after having played here on the men's soccer team before the program was dropped five years ago (also added again this year, however) and he has recruited a solid group of players and is excited about the prospects of coaching, and recruiting, in Hawaii and from across the nation. In speaking of this year's squad Wagar said, "I am extremely excited for our second year of the program here at BYU-Hawaii. These athletes are willing to work and train harder than any team I've ever coached or seen before. They have a tremendous attitude and desire to learn, try new things, and to win. This year has been very pleasant for me returning as a second year coach for the Lady Seasiders. I've enjoyed the players' eager attitudes to try to learn each day that we step out onto the field. When you have a group of ladies like this one, it makes it fun to coach and to be a part of soccer each day. We've got a young and energetic team and coaching staff who are full of optimism for this year, believing that the sky's the limit for us and what we can accomplish this season." Wagar continued, "I believe that our willingness to train to be the best will enable us to succeed this year and to set a solid foundation of winning here at the university. I have complete confidence in this team and have enjoyed every minute being a part of the coaching staff here amongst them. I am pleasantly impressed with their potential to reach excellence that I feel we can achieve."
Some of the key factors for Wagar's young team this year will be how well the coach's leadership can motivate and direct a young team and teach them what it takes to win in the big games. With 12 freshmen on the squad and another two players playing collegiately for the first time, it is important that the team learns quickly what it takes to be successful in NCAA II competition. Senior captain Sarah Norton, a junior transfer from Shelton Community College in Alabama where she was also captain and a two year starter, will lead the defense again as the starting sweeper. Her experience and leadership should help the younger players on the back line progress and develop. Another senior and captain, Jill Haar, will be a catalyst on the offensive end and is an integral part of the Seasiders' forward attacking line. Haar is also a transfer player from Mount San Antonio Community College in California, where she played after high school before transferring to BYU-Idaho for a year. Haar brings an aggressive, can-do attitude to the offense and will help ensure that everyone on the field puts forth a good effort.
Both captains are quality players and people who have the capability to inspire their teammates to always want to be their best but they will obviously not be alone on the field. Other Seasiders expected to contribute this season include freshman forward Sarah Welty, a lightning quick forward who starred in northern California along with junior forward Kahanu Ah Puck, a a lcoal athlete and strong player from Kahuku high school. They are expected to form the starting front line along with Haar. Midfield will be staffed by a trio of talented players for the Seasiders. Captain Kristi Astin from Hayden, Idaho, and high school teammates Natasha Aiono and Hailey Mckee from South Jordan, Utah have all demonstrated the athleticism and stamina to give BYU-Hawaii a strong game in the middle of the field.
Joining Norton on the defensive line will be the speedy sophomore Kristina Nibley from Provo, and Alexa Page from Layton, Utah. The coaches expect this group to do an outstanding job of keeping the ball out of the Seasider goal area and make things easier for freshman goal keeper Becky Ploeger from Broomfield, Colorado. Wagar says he expects the team to be highly competitive in this second season and possibly contend for the conference title this year. "I am proud of the whole team," he said, "and how much effort and heart they are willing exert for one another and as a coach I look forward to being a part of this great bunch of athletes and to building a successful women's soccer program here at BYU-Hawaii." Let the new era begin. |
