The Vulcans launch their 2006 soccer season Saturday with first touch at 11:30 a.m. when they meet Dixie State University on the grounds of the Hawai‘i Pacific University, Hawai‘i Loa campus. Travis Clarke, head coach for the Vulcans, will feature
The Vulcans launch their 2006 soccer season Saturday with first touch at 11:30 a.m. when they meet Dixie State University on the grounds of the Hawai‘i Pacific University, Hawai‘i Loa campus.
Travis Clarke, head coach for the Vulcans, will feature a 4-3-3 system built around the core of forwards Healani Leite-Ah Yo, midfielders Karen Weatherby, Kelly White and defender Kehau Hagiwara.
“They give us a solid middle from back to front,” Clark said in a press release from UH-Hilo. “Our forward line is fast, strong and big.”
Rosa Erck, measuring in at 6-foot-1, and Suzanne Lundberg, 5-feet-8, will join Leite-Ah Yo in the front.
“They are very athletic,” Clarke said. “We will be able to pressure the opposing defense into mistakes.”
Brianna Rivera and Sophie Milam will join Weatherby and White at midfield. Kuulika Karratti and Elsha Tivera will join Hagiwara in Clarke’s zonal defense in front of goalie Jessica Carvalho.
“Kehau is the leader in defense,” Clarke said. “Kuulika is very quick, fast and athletic and will mark the other team’s best player.”
When the Vulcans open against Dixie State, they face another team making the transition to the NCAA Division II level. The former junior college soccer powerhouse has already marked four games, losing to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 1-2, and Brigham Young University, 0-6, but tying Utah State University, 1-1.
Dixie State recorded a 5-0 win over the NAIA’s Westminster College in Utah.
“Even in transition, they definitely have a quality program going,” Clarke said.
