UH soccer coach gets vote of confidence
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
After two incidents of misconduct involving two different Rainbow Wahine soccer players, including a game where a UH player punched an opponent in the face, a top-ranking UH official yesterday said the program remains in good standing under head coach Pinsoom Tenzing.
As the only coach in the program's 10-year history, Tenzing this year guided the Rainbow Wahine to their winningest season ever and led them to their first Western Athletic Conference regular-season co-championship. On Friday, Hawai'i lost to Rice, 4-1, in the WAC Tournament semifinals in Dallas.
Tenzing has also absorbed the fallout from the misbehavior of some of his star players. The misconduct occurred in practice and in games, including one match that was televised statewide, and has overshadowed some of the team's triumphs on the field that are attended by numerous children.
In August, UH all-WAC player Arlene Devitt was suspended for the season-opener after she fought with a teammate during practice. In October, Devitt was suspended for one game after she spat on a Fresno State player.
On Friday, another UH all-WAC player, Robyn deHay, was ejected from the semifinal against Rice for punching an Owl player in the face. Immediately following the game, deHay apologized to the Rice player, who was not injured, and to the Rice team.
UH Associate Athletic Director Marilyn Moniz-Kaho-'ohanohano, who oversees the soccer program, said she did not condone the behavior of the players involved. Other than the Fresno State incident, Kaho'ohanohano said she has received no complaints about Tenzing or the team, and added that she was satisfied with Tenzing's coaching.
"I think coach Tenzing handles his team very well," said Kaho'ohanohano, who was at the Rice game on Friday. "This was the most successful year we've had. Most of our players play with sportsman like conduct and work really hard. I don't think this game (against Rice on Friday) was indicative of the team as a whole."
Kaho'ohanohano also said she did not feel the two latest incidents were a "pattern" of misconduct for the team, saying, "If you're talking about a pattern for the team, I disagree that it's a pattern for the team."
Tenzing yesterday said deHay has finished her eligibility at UH and will not be disciplined.
Rice soccer coach Chris Huston yesterday said she did not harbor any ill feelings toward deHay or Tenzing, and will not pursue the matter any further. Huston said the game was played physical on both sides, and "I don't put the blame anywhere." Referees issued 10 cards during the game; Hawai'i received six.
Huston said her player made the initial foul on the play that led to the punch. She said her player received a yellow card.
"There's no hard feelings whatsoever," Huston said. "Our players have been in situations where they've been frustrated and have done things before. ... I think Pinsoom is a great coach.
"Everything that I've always seen, I thought they (the Rainbow Wahine) were just fine," Huston continued. "I've never thought of it as it's a reflection of the coach. I thought of it more a reflection of just the circumstances of the game. It was one of those games where emotions were running high and all the girls really wanted to win on both sides."
Added deHay: "I was just totally frustrated. After the game, I said I was sorry to the player, and I said I was sorry to the (Rice) coaching staff."
Yesterday, Tenzing explained his understanding of the incidents.
He said the Fresno State spitting incident was done out of retaliation, and was exaggerated and inaccurately described by Fresno State.
Devitt has said she was spat on first and acted in retaliation.
Tenzing also said the fight between UH teammates in practice, and the punch thrown in the Rice game, were done in the heat of the moment, and that he's working to curtail further incidents.
"The flareups in the beginning of the season, those things happen when emotions run high," Tenzing said. "Kids are playing for a starting lineup situation."
Tenzing said he did not condone any of the misbehavior of his players, and added that he will take the appropriate disciplinary action when necessary.
"We're doing the best that we can," Tenzing said. "I don't think we can do any better than what we're doing. We're trying to nip everything in the bud and not repeat it."
Notes: SMU defeated Rice, 2-1, in the WAC Tournament final. SMU qualifies for the NCAA Tournament and will face Texas A&M in the first round on Friday.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
